Italian
Pair of Andirons, n.d.
On view
Bronze
Dimensions55 × 21 × 20 in. (139.7 × 53.3 × 50.8 cm)
Gift of Viola E. Bray, 2005.154.1
Both functional and decorative, these imposing bronze andirons would have stood within a grand fireplace to support logs for the fire. Cast in separate sections because of their large size, they feature several classically inspired sculpted elements, including grotesque masks, cupids, garlands, acanthus leaves, and lions, all surmounted by eagles with the Caldora coat of arms. Said to be a gift from King Charles IX of France (r. 1560 – 1574) to the Caldora family, these andirons depict the French royal arms (the fleur-de-lis) between female heads in profile.
