Antique Victorian late 19th century art nouveau (WT&S) William Tonks and sons fire dogs or andrions. This wonderful pair of fire dogs, used for keeping logs off the floor and letting air into the fire, have a wonderful art nouveau and arts and crafts look. They are incredibly well made, hand made, heavy with copper balls to top and a lovely copper circle design. Unusually these are slightly smaller, probably for a Victorian bedroom, as the fireplace would have been smaller.
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Some minor age related wear.
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Clearly stamped for renowned maker William Tonks and sons, combining both the art nouveau and arts and crafts look !!!
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Displayed with other items illustration only
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18 cm wide
30 cm tall
20 cm depth
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The acronym "W T & S Metal" refers to William Tonks & Sons, a significant metalware manufacturing company based in Birmingham, Great Britain.
History of William Tonks & Sons
Founding and Early Years: The foundry was established around 1789 or 1794. The business started by making wood screws and later expanded to manufacturing "steel toys" before becoming a major producer of cast and wrought brass products.
Expansion and Prominence: William Tonks & Sons became one of the largest and most prolific metalware companies in 19th-century Britain, employing over 500 people. Their primary locations included Cheapside and later the Star Works on Moseley St, Birmingham.
Acclaim and Products: The company gained recognition for its high-quality work, winning gold medals at major exhibitions in London (1851, 1862) and Paris (1855). They produced a vast range of items, including:
Architectural hardware: Door knockers, window latches, plates, and hinges.
Art metalware: Candlestick holders, magazine racks, and door stops in styles like Arts & Crafts and Aesthetic Movement, supplying retailers such as Liberty's of London.
Campaign furniture components: Items like flush handles and brass strapwork.
Trademarks: Items made by the firm typically carry a "WT&S" mark, often accompanied by a distinctive eight-pointed sun motif, which was developed around 1869.
Merger: The company continued operations well into the 20th century. In 1970, it merged with Newman Brothers, forming Newman Tonks, which was later acquired by Ingersoll-Rand. The legacy of these companies is preserved in the Newman Brothers Coffin Works museum in Birmingham.
 
The Art Nouveau period was an international style of art and architecture active from approximately 1883 to 1914, peaking in the 1890s and early 1900s. It was characterized by organic, flowing lines, organic forms, and a break from historical art conventions to create a "new art". The movement ended with the outbreak of World War I and was followed by Art Deco.
Key
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The Arts and Crafts period was a design movement that flourished in Britain from the late 19th century until the start of World War I, reacting against the mass production of the Industrial Revolution. It emphasized traditional craftsmanship, with a focus on well-made, handcrafted items like furniture, jewelry, and textiles, often using local materials. Key figures include William Morris and John Ruskin, and the movement promoted ideals of functionality, aesthetic unity, and social purpose in design.
Origins and purpose: The movement began in Britain around 1880 as a response to the perceived decline in quality and artistry caused by industrialization. Proponents wanted to return to handmade goods and elevate the status of decorative arts to that of fine arts.
Key principles:
Craftsmanship: A strong focus on the skill and artistry of the hand rather than machine production.
Functionality: The creation of beautiful objects that were also useful and could be integrated into daily life.
Aesthetic unity: Aiming for a harmonious design that connected the craftsmanship to the final product.
Natural materials: A preference for natural, local materials in design.
Spread and legacy: The movement spread from Britain to Europe and North America, with a distinct manifestation in Japan called the Mingei Movement. It influenced many areas, including architecture, interior design, furniture, and even fashion, leading to looser, more practical clothing styles.
Organizations: A key organization was the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society, founded in 1887, which helped give the movement its name and a platform for its ideas. Other guilds and societies were founded, and the movement's ideals drove the creation of over a hundred organizations in Britain by 1905.