Fireside refers to the area around the hearth and to the furniture and accessories gathered there. For most of history the fire was the only source of heat in the home and an important source of light, so the fireside was the natural centre of domestic life, where families cooked, worked, talked and relaxed.
Fireside antiques include fire grates and baskets, firedogs and andirons, fenders and club fenders with padded seats, fire irons and companion sets, coal scuttles and log bins, bellows, toasting forks and trivets, as well as fire screens and pole screens designed to shield faces from the heat. Comfortable seating such as wing chairs and fireside armchairs was arranged nearby, and the chimneypiece above often displayed clocks, garnitures and mirrors. Materials range from polished steel and brass to copper, cast iron and wrought iron, reflecting the styles of each period. Antique fireside pieces remain highly practical and help create a warm, welcoming focal point in both traditional and contemporary rooms.
