Fire and Hearth is a broad term for the fireplace and the many objects associated with it. For centuries the hearth was the practical and social heart of the home, providing heat, light and a place for cooking, and the fireplace became one of the most important architectural and decorative features of any room.
The category includes chimneypieces and fire surrounds in stone, marble, cast iron and timber; grates, fire baskets and register stoves; andirons and firedogs; fenders and club fenders; fire irons and companion sets; coal scuttles and log baskets; fire screens, pole screens and spark guards; and cooking equipment such as spits, trivets and toasting forks. Styles evolved from heavy medieval and Tudor andirons to elegant Georgian steel and brass, elaborate Victorian cast iron and tiled inserts, and hand-crafted Arts and Crafts copper and brass. Antique fire and hearth items remain useful as well as decorative, and they help create a characterful, welcoming focal point in period and contemporary homes.
