original late 19th or early 20th century antique american ornamental cast iron interior residential fireplace gas insert or grate designed and fabricated by the dawson brothers, chicago, il. the uniform metallic gold enameled fireplace insert is comprised of two oversized decorative grilles or grates serving as an ash and summer cover. the hooded surrounded retains the original centrally located flue lever. the complete has insert or surround or salvaged from a chicago graystone residence constructed around 1895-1903. the extant dawson brothers factory and offices is located at 517-519 n. halsted street just west of downtown chicago. the red brick factory was constructed in 1888 and designed by architect julius zittel. the five-story building has a cast iron facade on its first floor, along with decorative tie rods and a carved limestone name plaque with date. the dawson brothers used the factory to fabricate highly specialized ornamental fireplace mantels and grates; the building also served as the company's showroom and offices. a six-story addition was added to the building in 1901, which mainly served as a storage and shipping area. the dawson brothers conducted business at the factory until 1929. the building was added to the national register of historic places on february 14, 1985. cover measures 31 inches x 30 1/2 inches.