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Fire Tools and Andirons
Produced by the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company

Two scrolled feet join the central shaft and continue upwards to form an open handle with a central floral motif. The tapered shaft was designed to appear as rods "bound" together with an entwined rod in imitation of wrought iron. The horizontal log supports are attached to the back of the upright post by means of a dovetail connection. The mark consists of B&H, the catalogue number 9503, and Patent Applied For. The patent probably refers to the dovetail joint (see patent dated May 26, 1868, lamps and chandeliers). Part of a set with fire tools, SI.1989.040 abcd (below).

Five separate pieces screw or bolt together to form the figure of a
phoenix, the mythological bird which rises from the ashes to become
reborn. The horizontal log supports are square cast iron with
obelisk finials and bolt to the body of the figure. The two leg
and wing sections connect to the body with decorative bolts. The
body section is "S" shaped and spirals backwards. The
head is cast in one piece with a crest attached to it with
a bolt (see detail). The mark consists
of B&H and the number 9537.

The shafts of these
andirons are cast as one piece in imitation of wrought iron. The
feet are made up of a series of scrolls which rise to attach to
a tapered shaft, which splits at the top into two inwardly turned
scrolls. Attached to each andiron is a hook
(see detail)used to hold a decorative iron rod which was to serve
as a fire fender (missing). A decorative
ring is attached above the hook. The horizontal log supports bolt
to the shaft at the back. Andirons bear the round B&H
with printer's flowers mark and
the number 9549.

Two flat "S" curved legs with hoofed feet join a center
shaft consisting of a spindle with a large loop handle at the
top. The horizontal
log supports
are attached to the shaft with dove-tail joints at the back (see
patent dated May 26, 1868, lamps and chandeliers).
The shaft is stamped with the circular B&H with printer's
flowers mark
and the bottom fan-shaped drop finial of the shaft is stamped
with the catalogue number "9569."

The base of the stand
is rectangular, having four small feet at the corners. The inside
of the base is cast with a sun burst motif. The shaft bolts to
the base and consists of a plain rod with a "C" shaped
bracket below a tapered handle with a ball finial at the
end. The handles of the tools are of a similar design. Cast into
the bottom of the stand is the maker's triangle and lantern mark
and Patent Applied For. The tools consist of tongs-d, poker-c,
shovel-b, and stand-a. Part of a set with Andirons SI.89.39 a&b.

The fire tool stand consists of four feet that support a bottom
tray consisting of an open basket weave pattern with flowers in
the openings and an open scalloped rail. The bottom of the tray
is cast with the number "9704." An upright shaft is
bolted to the bottom and consists of twisted, scrolled, foliated,
and beaded components topped with a ring handle. The back of the
shaft is cast with the"B&H" mark
"Pat. Appd.
For," and the catalogue number "9704." A twisted
and scrolled bracket arm is bolted to the shaft below the handle.
The incomplete set also includes a small brush consisting of a
plain shaft topped with a twisted handle terminating in a ring
in imitation of wrought iron and an identically ornamented shovel
tool (see detail).

The design of this
pair of andirons consists of a pair of rusticated legs embossed
with a half sunburst. The legs merge into a tapered and ribbed
serpentine shaft. The shaft is topped by an applied circular disc
cast in the form of a human face surrounded by radiating rays
as in a sunburst. The horizontal log supports
are attached to the shaft with dove-tail joints at the back (see
patent dated May 26, 1868, lamps and chandeliers).The
andirons are stamped: "Patented August 24, 1886, the B&H
mark, 9510." This patent refers to
the design and was issued to Frederick Seidensticker, assigned
to the Bradley and Hubbard Manufacturing Company. The finish on
this pair is black enamel lacquer.

The design of this
pair of andirons consists of a pair of inwardly scrolled feet
that merge into a tapered shaft, all decorated with a serpentine
motif and having a shield located at the intersection of the legs
and shaft. The shaft is topped by an applied circular disc cast
with a grotesque mask in the form of an animal's face, perhaps
a lion. The horizontal log supports
are bolted to the shaft at the back and have central legs with
twisted shafts and ball finials. The
andirons are stamped the B&H mark,
"Patented August 24, 1886, and "9509." This patent
refers to the design and was issued to Frederick Seidensticker,
assigned to the Bradley and Hubbard Manufacturing Company. The
finish on this pair is black enamel lacquer, however, other examples
have been found with gold or brass finishes on the cast iron.

The "S" scrolled legs support a tapered twisted shaft.
The shaft is topped by a Hollow ball cast in two parts. The horizontal
log supports are attached to the shaft with bolted joints at the
back and have smaller twisted and ball-finial shafts attached
at the bend in the dog. The andirons are stamped with the B&H
mark,
"9508," and "Patd Sept 21, 1886."This
patent refers to the design and was issued to Frederick Seidensticker,
assigned to the Bradley and Hubbard Manufacturing Company.
The finish on this pair is black enamel lacquer and appears to
be original.

Dolphin shaped andirons with scrolled tails face each other. The
dogs are attached by means of a dove-tail joint cast into the
metal. The andirons are stamped with the B&H mark,
9512 Patd Appld For." however, no patent was issued for the
design. The patent probably refers to the dove-tail joint (see
patent dated May 26, 1868, lamps and chandeliers).
Traces of black paint remain on the back, however the front surfaces
have been stripped of all paint.