Andiron
Unknown Artist
1770–1800
Medium
Brass
Dimensions
20 3/4 x 19 1/2 x 11 3/4 in. (52.7 x 49.5 x 29.8 cm)
Classification
Andiron
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of W. Gedney Beatty, 1941
Accession Number
41.160.346
Art Historical Context
### Andiron, 1770–1800 This elegant brass andiron, crafted between 1770 and 1800 by an unknown artisan, stands as a testament to early American metalworking prowess. Measuring 20 3/4 x 19 1/2 x 11 3/4 inches, it was designed as one of a pair to support burning logs in a fireplace, them for better airflow and heat distribution. Brass, prized for its durability, golden sheen, and resistance to corrosion, was a favored material in colonial households, often polished to a brilliant luster that reflected the fire's glow. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing and bequeathed by W...