What is included in a companion set?

A companion set typically groups essential hearth tools such as pokers, shovels, and tongs together for daily tending of an open fire. Many sets include dedicated tool rests or stand alongside matching fire dogs and baskets to keep the hearth organised.

How do I date a set of fire irons?

Dating relies on observing material choices, tool construction methods, and stylistic cues like Arts and Crafts or Gothic Revival details. Earlier nineteenth-century pieces often utilise burnished steel, while later Victorian and nineteen-thirties examples favor heavier wrought iron forms.

Are andirons used with fire baskets?

Andirons often flank fire baskets or support logs directly on the hearth floor within large inglenook fireplaces. They serve both a structural role in holding fuel and a decorative function matching the companion tools.

What is the difference between cast and forged iron?

Forged iron is heated and hammered into shape by a blacksmith, leaving distinct tool marks and robust structural lines. Cast iron is poured into a mould while liquid, resulting in smoother, repeatable ornamentation often seen on nineteenth-century fire dogs.