Andirons

Place Made
Shenandoah Valley Virginia United States of America
Date Made
1780-1810
Medium
cast iron
Dimensions
HOA 14 7/8; WOA 12; DOA 10 (a), 11 (b)
Accession Number
4263 a-b
Description
According to Wallace Gussler, three pairs and one single example of these andirons have been found in the Valley of Virginia. They are of the same design but cast in sand molds produced from three different size patterns, one having a wider proportion than the one shown here, and another which is much larger. In his article about the arts of the Shenandoah County, Wallace Gussler suggests that the pattern for these andirons was carved by the same carver who executed a mantel with similar figures in a house near Woodstock, Virginia (built ca. 1815-20). Gussler, therefore, suggests that the date of the Andirons is ca. 1810-1820. Howwever, the use of the ball and claw foot suggests a possibly earlier date for these andirons.

DESCRIPTION: A pair of figural andirons each depicting an armless chinese figure wearing a cap and decorative top; fluted arched legs terminating in ball and claw feet.

Credit Line
MESDA Purchase Fund