A beautifully decorative Art Nouveau brass fireplace fender dating from 1895 – 1910. Featuring elegant flowing lines, pierced acanthus leaf decoration and sweeping scroll ends, this is a wonderful example of the natural, organic designs that made the Art Nouveau movement so distinctive. The centre is highlighted by an ornate pierced panel with beautifully cast foliage and a turned urn finial, while the curved brass rail is supported on fluted feet. The mellow aged brass has developed a lovely warm patina over the years, adding to its character and charm. Originally designed to sit around the front of an open fireplace, fenders helped keep burning logs and hot embers safely within the hearth while also protecting rugs and polished timber floors. By the late Victorian and Edwardian periods they had become just as decorative as they were practical, often reflecting the latest design styles of the day. Today, antique fenders make wonderful decorative pieces, whether used with a working fireplace or simply as an architectural feature. They look equally at home in a traditional villa, character home or contemporary interior, adding warmth, history and a real sense of craftsmanship. This is a particularly decorative and well-cast example with lovely proportions and plenty of visual appeal. It is in very good antique condition with age-related wear and a beautiful original patina consistent with its age.
