Pair of Firedogs

Designed to hold logs, firedogs or chenetstake their name from the French word for a small dog. Pairs of firedogs were placed inside the fireplace, their gilt bronze decoration concealing wrought-iron bars that supported the burning wood.

These firedogs may symbolize warfare on land and sea. One is modeled with "Turkish" arms, including a crested turban and armor resting on a cannon, anchor, and boar's head. The other one, molded in the "classical" manner, is composed of a plumed helmet and armor resting on a bombard, quiver, and ram's head.