Carbone, Inc. (active Boston, New York, and Chicago, 20th century)
Fireset: Tongs, Shovel, Rack, and Hearth Brush, about 1920
Brass and steel; wood and coconut, 75.6 cm (29 3/4 in.)
This antique brass fireplace tool set includes tongs, shovel, broom and rack. With the exception of the broom, the handles are finished in brass and have a grooved and ball design. The shafts of the tongs are blackened with age at the bottom, but close to the hinge point the brass finish is still visible. The tongs terminate in flattened blades. The coal shovel has upturned sides, and the lower blade is missing a piece. The holder has a square base and a crescent bar at the top to hold the tools. The fireplace brush is a small, dark brown broom made of coconut handle and straw.
Raphael Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.