18th Century Fireplace Andirons Knife Blade

Very Rare & exceptional 18th Century American Fireplace Andirons. Listed in Shiffers Brass Book on Page 44 as part of the Bowers collection. The description reads: This is an attractive a pair of the best type of knife blade & iron andirons as one is likely to t see. Some brass finials screw on ,while in others the urn shaft comes through the top to be spread slightly to hold it on .The knife blades are more vigorous & bolder than most & have the added refinement of a brass shield at the bottom of the shaft. This pair of andirons are from an estate in Camden Maine ,they are in exceptional as found original condition & they measure 20” tall x( 20” length of firedogs -the part that goes into the fire box )x 8 ½” across the bottom. The finials are brass & the square brass plaque that sits between the shaft & the base is brass ,both the brass pieces are in a very rich & mellow surface condition. The hand forged iron is in the original as found very good condition, never over painted!