Companion Sets are a most distinctive feature of the traditional
English open fireplace. In Victorian times especially, with
the widespread use of coal fires, companion sets were a
practical and integral part of typical English hearth furniture,
as well as providing a decorative element into the whole
fireside arrangement.
Traditional
companion set styles were diverse and in a variety of metal
finishes - most popular were iron, brass and antique brass,
but pewter was quite common, and in more modern times chrome
sets have been favoured for their more contemporary feel.
Traditionally,
companion set arrangements included a shovel, brush, poker
and coal tongs, as most of our range typically still do.
Coal fires tended to produce large quanities of ash as well
as coals that often fell onto the hearth, where coal tongs,
brush and shovel came into their own in clearing up such
spillages.
Tongs
were used to pick up the still hot and glowing coals to
replace them on the fire, and, as fires gradually collapsed
and bedded down, a poker was essential to liven up dying
embers to extract the last possible degree of heat from
the fuel bed.
Nowadays
with the more popular inset gas and electric fires, companion
sets play a much less functional and a more decorative role,
and are often favoured simply as a link with tradition and
for their intrinsic visual attractiveness. Although all
of our models are still fully functional and form part of
essential equipment for those opting for solid fuel arrangements
in their fireplaces.
So,
our companion set range incorporates all these typically
traditional elements and have been chosen to enhance the
cast iron fireplaces illustrated throughout our online catalogue.
But they would equally complement any domestic hearth or
fireplace setting.
Pictured
here are a few of our most popular Companion Sets - most
are available in a range of finishes and metals and in various
styles. See our catalogue for all of the available options.
Click
here to shop for Companion Sets Now
