what are these called and do they have any practical purpose?

[space-time]

found two of these when we bought the house, placed near the fireplace. What are these called and what purpose do they serve?

EDIT: sorry, shot with the iPhone, orientation is OK on my computer, not sure why it shows up sideways on the forum

[OWC Jamie]

andirons


they stop the logs from rolling out

[Wags]

Fireplace dogs? Keep you logs from rolling out?

[space-time]

thanks,

wow, these are not cheap! I was abut to throw them out!

http://www.brassgallery.com/cast-iron-hi...irons.html

[Jack D.]

Don't throw them out. Gift, donate or sell them but don't throw them out.

[Dennis S]

Can you store them inside the fireplace and use them for "show?"

[Paul F.]

Put them in the fireplace, and use them as intended... it took centuries to develop the technology (simple as it may seem), it would be a shame to waste them.

[Black]

They're called "logjams."

[N-OS X-tasy!]

Paul F. wrote:
Put them in the fireplace, and use them as intended... it took centuries to develop the technology (simple as it may seem), it would be a shame to waste them.

Remember that the next time you feel the urge to upgrade your Mac/smartphone.

[Paul F.]

N-OS X-tasy! wrote:
[quote=Paul F.]
Put them in the fireplace, and use them as intended... it took centuries to develop the technology (simple as it may seem), it would be a shame to waste them.

Remember that the next time you feel the urge to upgrade your Mac/smartphone.
A point worth considering, but keep in mind that fire is a much more mature technology....