Andiron (one of pair) c. 1936

This is Hans Korsch's drawing of an andiron, likely made sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Rendered with delicate pencil and watercolor, this design for a fireplace fixture offers insight into the world of metalworking and domestic life. Andirons like these would typically be forged from iron or brass, requiring a blend of physical labor and skilled craftsmanship. The process involved heating the metal to high temperatures and shaping it with hammers and anvils. This would be quite a contrast to the clean, classical lines of the finished object. The design, with its balanced form and elegant curves, speaks to the importance of aesthetics even in functional objects. Consider how the maker's touch would have been present in every curve and joint. The act of creation imbues the andiron with a social and cultural significance that goes beyond its practical use, and hints at the amount of work that went into this everyday object. It reminds us that even the most utilitarian objects can be elevated through craft and design.