Description:
A single example of a cast iron andiron with ring top finials, initials "EL" cast on the post, and cast on the front of the legs, "CAR" and "VER". Carver, Massachusetts, is the town located next to and inland from Plymouth, MA. This small andiron is very similar to a pair marked "SPRING" "FIELD" and attributed to the manufacture of James Byers and Company of Springfield, Massachusetts [see HD 2008.24]. Perhaps Byers or another company specialized in making andirons or "small ring dogs" molded with the name of your home town. Ellis Griffeth was a known Carver, MA, ironmonger, c. 1800-1820. Other andirons molded with the name "Barnstaple" have been seen. For a similar example in the collection, see also 2013.5 which has the town name of CONWAY.

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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2014.28

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