Vintage Andiron questions

How vintage are these? Mid century? Earlier?

Are the hook like pieces on the front above the decorative piece meant to hold something or are these just decorative too?

Should I clean them with Brasso?
Thank you.

 

I'd say they're about 1920s give or take. The hooks are for a cross bar, generally decorative or to stop folks from falling into the fireplace or a visual barrier... Crossbars are almost always missing from most sets as they got separated and put in the barn and then no one remembered what they were!

Clean with Brasso? Yeah. I know where to send you for that. Don't you dare!

 

Thanks birgittaw. I just Googled images of andirons with cross bars and I think the bar for this may still be around. I seem to remember one of the fireplace sets had a piece that really didn't look like a poker. That means a trip to the attic to look for it and it is just to darn hot for that right now. Next cool day. If I find it, I will post back.

Sorry, I couldn't resist asking about the Brasso.

 

FYI, I always double my price if the cross bar is present ...

 

Thanks for the tip. I have to research prices. I'm clueless. This is only the second set I've had.

 

Prices are all over the place. Generally eBay is not the best venue -- it's usually mostly antique dealers who shop for andirons here and that's reflected in final sales results. Retail customers need to get their hands on them before buying.

Brass overall was out of favor for a while, but seems to be coming back. I would probably wait for a while until it gets cooler (although I sold two sets last week in Atlanta). I assume the cross bar has the same torpedo shaped ends as the log stops? Pricing also depends on height -- the bigger the better, but of course exceptions here too. Yours look to be about 18"?

If you decide to sell on eBay, I would expect that with the cross bar you might get $125-75 or so. And if you do sell, ship the cross bar separately, or it will make the package go into oversize. And disassemble for easier and safer shipping.

 

Thank you! That's really helpful. These are 22" tall. I may try to venture into the attic tonight to see if that is the bar.