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Wrough iron has stood the test of time

 

Wrought iron has been around since the earliest days of civilisation. Around 4000BC it competed with bronze for prominence and eventually took over in the manufacture of axe heads, swords and items of general use. The structural uses of wrought iron increased through the Middle Ages, initially for construction and weaponry, and later as ornamental approach on monasteries and churches. Later, and with the introduction of blast furnaces in the 15th century, the availability of wrought iron increased even further and towards the end of the 17th century. Craftsmanship reached new heights in the period of Great English Ironwork with the arrival of French metalworker and designer Jean Tijou who first arrived in England in 1689 as a Huguenot refugee. One of the most influential ironworkers in England in the late 17th century and the early 18th century; Tijou created intricate designs and is credited with introducing interlaced monograms into English ironwork.

The structural use of wrought iron took off in earnest in the latter part of the 18th century with English Ironmaster Abraham Darby's first iron bridge near Coalbrookdale in Shropshire .The bridge was made entirely of iron arches and ribs which were cast in a foundry and transported to the building site for assembly.

Wrought iron, with its high tensile strength came again to the fore with the arrival of the railways, particularly in the building of railway bridges, but by the end of the 19th century, three inventions, i.e. coke, the blast furnace and the Bessemer converter, unlocked the production of steel and due to its increased availability, the use of wrought iron declined.

Although wrought iron will probably never be used to such an extent again, it has enjoyed something of a revival in more recent years, and it continues to be popular for many applications such as handrails and fences, providing security and aesthetics for residential and commercial properties including ornamental gate finials such as spheres, railheads and baskets etc, as well as architectural metal railings and staircases. Ornamental wrought iron components satisfy the requirements of builders, architects and designers as well as the end user.

There will always be some of us who appreciate the artistic quality of wrought iron and the skill involved in creating beautiful things! Wrought iron has stood the test of time as a decorative and structural building material.

 

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