MODERN FIREPLACES

Evening Star, Issue 20778, 28 April 1931, Page 2

MODERN FIREPLACES

INTERESTING ACCESSORIES Hand-forged fire sets or andirons aro delightful and are harmonious details for the room where early American furniture predominates. But surprisingly artistic fireplace accessories are now cleverly reproduced by machine—and arc less expensive (says tho ‘Christian Science Monitor’). Iron, brass, and copper arc the common metals used. Iron accessories are appropriate for tho fireplace of primitive surroundings, while brass suits better tho room having a more formal aspect. Copper is in accord with Spanish or Italian schemes, with a copper kettle swinging from a crane or perhaps a quaint wanning pan of the same metal hanging close by. Every 11 replace which uses wood needs a pair of andirons and a pair of tongs, a shovel being almost equally useful. Other accessories include wood baskets, coal hods, hearth brushes, fire screens, and, where antiques are valued, a pair of bellows. One charming brass fire. set oi colonial pattern consists of a pair of brass candlesticks, a tray and candle snuffer, a pair of andirons, tongs and shovel, all to match. Picture it against a red brick fireplace with white woodwork and you have a harmonious background. The fire screen is a comparatively modern innovation, withal a very practical one. And it may fall under one of two classifications, the useful metal screen that actually protects against (lying sparks and the decorative one that conceals the fireplace out of season. . .

Tlie first kind is usually ,ot four panels in a mattress weave, with brass tips and handles. Iron and copper finishes arc likewise seen, matching andirons.

Jn some of the newest adaptations of Spanish art wrought-iron screens are built as an integral part of the fireplace. Sometimes they take the form of gates. Where the fire screen is merely a decorative shield during the summer an Oriental typo is frequently seen. This makes use of textiles instead of metal, and takes the form of a black satin screen beautifully embroidered in floral or bird patterns in a contrasting colour. The customary fireplace sot usually includes andirons, tongs, shovel, and fuel' holder. , Swedish iron, so-called, harmonises with bridge lamp standards ,used l in the same room. This is ! an‘other detail to be considered—harmony with other metal that is in sight. Fuel holders appear in great variety, from the rustic splint basket to the heavy hammered metal seen in, both iron and brass. But it is the usefulucss and charm of lino that count, for metal follows period styles as well as the shapes of modern art. The urnshaped andiron, the hall, and the lion head are all legacies from historic forges. The old-fashioned bellows usually had a leather or ribbon loop from which to hung it up, and was the shap of an inverted pear, with handles. The brass nose and the quaint brown fruits painted on the yellow sides are effectively decorative. Less often seen are the pairs of fireside fans used in the colonial period Those were hand-painted on velvet, with long wooden handles. One hung on each side of the fireplace, to bo used ns individual screens against too hot a blaze. The modern tendency is to make all fireplace accessories smaller than those originally designed in the handcraft period. Tims they are acceptably serviceable, and give dignity to the atmo sphere of the home.

Many remarkable transformations have taken place iu Vienna since the war, and evidence'Of the progress being made is reflected in a paragraph forwarded by a correspondent to the London ‘Observer.’ He states that the .Stndiou in the Hratcr will ho opened in Juno next on the occasion of tlio Workmen’s Olympiadc, and it is intended that a small wood in front of the new buildiggs and closed in by three streets will, in course of timej be decorated with a number of sculptures symbolising sport in various ways. A committee lias been appointed to consider details and to secure funds. The entrance feo for this and some other places is to be increased. Another interesting idea is the opening of a new Municipal Museum, which has been planned for the last twentyJivo years. At present the fine municipal collections are on show in various places, including the Town Hall. Many other liistorio objects in the possession of the municipality are stored away in lofts and cellars'' under conditions of considerable risk.