highly sought after american victorian era ornamental cast iron interior residential fireplace gas insert or grate designed, patented and fabricated by the dawson brothers, chicago, il. the richly ornate iron grate retains the original gas valve pipe fittings and folded and pressed sheet steel back. the protruding hood and pierced ash grate remain in great shape. the insert was salvaged from a chicago two-flat graystone residence. dates to 1896-99. two matching units available. the extant building once containing the 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. measures 24 1/2 x 30 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches.