Pair of Modernist Steel and Wrought Iron Andirons

This pair of andirons exemplifies the modernist approach to the traditional fireplace accessory that flourished in France during the 1940s and 1950s. In polished steel and wrought iron, they distil the form of the andiron to its structural essentials: the functional upright and the horizontal log-bearing bar are resolved with a precision and economy that transforms purely practical objects into quietly composed small sculptures for the hearth.

The combination of polished steel and wrought iron was particularly favoured by French metalworkers of the postwar period, who understood the graphic potential of contrasting textures and finishes within a single object. The polished steel elements catch the light of the fire with a reflective brilliance, while the wrought iron provides the structural weight and depth of material that the form requires. The result is a pair of andirons with a presence well beyond their modest dimensions.

Measuring 15.5 centimetres in width, 36.5 in depth and 27.5 in height, each andiron is well proportioned for a standard French fireplace. The pair functions equally well in a period setting — where the modernist aesthetic reads as a refined counterpoint to more ornate surroundings — and in a contemporary interior where the clean geometry will feel entirely at home.

A handsome and well-matched pair of French modernist hearth furniture. In good vintage condition consistent with age and use. Sold as a pair. Dimensions: 15.5 × 36.5 × 27.5 cm each.