Fireplace fender

1900-1940

Measurements

5-1/2 in x 51-5/8 in x 11 in

Materials

Brass

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1959.3743

Provenance

 Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

The wide, serpentine fender has a pierced fretwork panel across the front with stylized floral motifs and stamped details forming eight-pointed stars.  Above, a heavy beaded course is below a row of rectangular piercings.  The base is a heavier, ogee-profiled molding. 

The fender is made in sections and screwed together with brass flat-head screws.  It incorporates no iron framework.  Unlike late 18th and early 19th examples, this fender is not attached to a sheet-iron base.  Consequently, the fender is not rigid and has the curve has distorted.  Another indication of later fabrication lies in execution.  The rectangular piercings are uneven, and all of the pierced work panel looks crude.