Brass ornaments such as those described are not altogether confined to chimney ornaments, for on a larger scale they were frequently used on the old hob-grates, the polished brass or copper contrasting with the shining blacklead put on with plenty of elbow grease. They were used, too, as door porters and also as sideboard ornaments. The ornaments of the early nineteenth century in metal were, however, almost entirely associated with utilitarian purposes, the artist decorating the commoner objects, giving special attention to the repoussé work and engraving on those portions which would be in view when the dustpan, warming-pan, hearth brush, or other object was hung up.
Classified Arrangement.
FIGS. 43 AND 44.—BRASS CHIMNEY ORNAMENTS (ONE EACH OF PAIRS).
FIG. 45.—BRASS HORSE, A CHIMNEY OR HOB-GRATE ORNAMENT.
In addition to those articles mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs there are many domestic utensils highly decorative, such as candlesticks and lighting apparatus, referred to in other chapters in this volume. These all come under the special notice of the collector of copper and brasswork who turns his attention to domestic antiques. Such collectable objects as already suggested should be arranged in a room furnished in similar style to that prevailing at a time when these metal curios were in daily use. If such a room is not available an alternative method is to arrange the domestic curios so that by comparison the progress made by makers as each succeeding generation came and went can be seen and appreciated. Incidentally that method is very interesting in that it reveals the periods at which art was uppermost, and indicates those times when the utility of domestic copper and brass was in the ascendant rather than their ornate appearance. Popular taste was followed by the maker at all times, and the more progressive manufacturers were ever on the look-out for some slight improvement either in design or decoration—seldom, however, making any radical change—so that the progress in metal-work was one of development slowly unfolded.