My mother and I visited The Clark Art Museum in Williamstown, Massachusetts this summer while my brother was on a college tour. To our surprise, the special exhibit happened to be THE ART OF IRON. What luck! There were dozens of wrought iron objects on loan from The Musée Le Secq des Tournelles (France.) When iron objects were not considered fashionable, they were often simply discarded. Thankfully, the Tournelles family felt the objects should be saved and are now on permanent display at a gothic church in Rouen, France.
As a welder, I was impressed with the great use of simple heating and riveting techniques. Rolling and hammering, without use of localized heating like blow torches and hi-tech welding systems, made for some beautiful results.
As a welder, I was impressed with the great use of simple heating and riveting techniques. Rolling and hammering, without use of localized heating like blow torches and hi-tech welding systems, made for some beautiful results.
STREET SIGNS
Stores had specialized signs to show off what they sold. The signs originally were painted. To keep up with the competition, storekeepers wanted more complicated (iron) signs. The towns worried that these complex signs were getting too heavy and pieces might fall on pedestrians. (Wouldn't want an ax to fall from the heavens! Understandable!)
I was lucky enough to see a real world example of these signs when visiting my Aunt Becky in Vienna, Austria a few years ago.
Signs were made with interchangeable parts so they could be updated and modified. This cobbler had several shoes that could be hung on display.
The illuminated "bat sign" below would most likely be used for a tavern (or some other night life) and the "Crowned Dolphin"...is anybody's guess.
IRON ADORMENT
Ornate, personalized (monogramed) windows, grates, grilles and doors were once the norm in France in the 1800s. These designs fell out of fashion as cities became more modern. (Hmm. I say, let's bring it back.)
I would have welded these pieces together, but at this time in history anything structural had to be secured with a clever use of rivets.
Many of the signs were originally painted. This piece showed a little bit of left over color.
My mom and I enjoyed looking at (through!) this bank window.
HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS
This was a "timer" for turning out the light. Knowing how long a candle takes to burn, you set the clamp at your "lights out time" on the candle. When the candle burns down and reaches your marker, the pointer is no longer stopped by the wax and the snuffer drops down to put out the flame. Cool.
These guard dog collars had spikes designed to protect the dog's vulnerable necks.
A bear muzzle. (Perhaps not a "house hold object.")
There were several amazing safes on display. This was the locking mechanism for a home safe. Notice the gun that would be triggered if someone tried to pick the lock.