Neoclassical Brass Fire Tool Set with Horse Head Handles, in the

This elegant polished brass fire set, designed in the neoclassical style and closely related to the production of the famous Parisian house Maison Jansen, stands out for the exceptional quality of its sculpted horse heads. Each of the five accessory handles — as well as the central stand itself — is topped with a fully modelled horse head made of cast brass, the animal rendered with remarkable anatomical precision: the arched neck, flared nostril, alert eye, and the outline of the flowing mane are all captured with the assurance of a specialised foundry. The equestrian motif, long associated with the prestigious productions of Maison Jansen, reaches here a refinement in line with the best quality French decorative ironwork of the post-war period. The set includes a tall stand on a tiered circular base, accompanied by a poker, a flat-bladed shovel, a brush, and tongs, all sharing the same formal vocabulary and polished brass finish. The proportions are large and elegant, with a total height of 68.5 cm giving the set an imposing presence on the hearth. Maison Jansen, founded in Paris in 1880 by the Dutch-born decorator Jean-Henri Jansen, became one of the most famous interior design houses of the 20th century, renowned for its synthesis of historical styles — particularly neoclassical and Empire — with the finest craftsmanship. The horse head motif was among the most characteristic signatures of the house, appearing on andirons, fire sets, and other fireplace accessories for several decades. This set, although not directly from Jansen, reflects the wide dissemination of this vocabulary among high-quality French workshops working in the manner of the house during the 1950s.