Andirons or fire-dogs were used in every house, for all fires were of
wood and in fireplaces. The poorer people were content with very simple
andirons, made of wrought or cast iron and without any ornament. In
these, the standards are made tall and they have as ornaments little
vase-forms of brass at their tops.
Tongs and shovel were as necessary as the andirons, and like them were
often of the simplest make. These have handsome brass handles.