CLICK TO VIEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS
|
|
Antique Hand Wrought Iron Sconces
Decorative Antique Hand Wrought Iron Sconces for any decor, length: 12.5" to 22".
Ironwork is any weapon, artwork, utensil or architectural feature made of iron especially used for decoration. There are two main types of ironwork wrought iron and cast iron. While the use of iron dates back as 4000BC, it was the Hittites who first knew how to extract it and develop weapons.
Wrought iron candlesticks began around the year 1,000 B.C., when the Bronze Age gave way to the Iron Age. Artisans across Western civilization employed primitive smelting techniques to convert natural iron ores, ingots, and nuggets into usable building material. Wrought iron differs from so-called cast-iron, in that it is malleable, durable, and more delicate. Iron Age craftsmen created a few wrought iron candlesticks, but most of these pieces are now lost to time.
In the Middle Ages, spurred by works of the British ironwork masters and the advent of the French Baroque movement, wrought iron became the rage throughout Europe. Cathedrals, such as France's famous Notre Dame, employed wrought iron for ornamental purposes. Warriors, on the other hand, found more brutal uses for the material, although most iron based swords and shields from this time are generally classified as cast-iron.
Candle-smiths developed techniques to purify wrought iron in the 1700s. Iron makers throughout Europe used a technique called bloomery, in which carboniferous charcoal gets smelted with iron ore. The wrought iron candlesticks created by this bloomery process contains very little carbon--approximately 0.04 percent. Thus, the iron end product is extremely malleable and easy to work with.
In 1854, the Bessemer Converter changed history by facilitating steel smelting on a mass scale. With the rise of steel came the fall of wrought iron and cast-iron. Production of European fine wrought iron candlesticks and candelabras virtually stopped. That being said, over the past twenty years, home decor experts have witnessed a surge of renewed popularity in wrought iron trappings, wrought iron candle sticks and candle holders, old fashioned railings, and elegant gates.
LifestyleAntiques.com is the web site where one can shop on line or if you are in the area we are an antique dealer in Summerland, California just 3 minutes south of Santa Barbara. Specializing in European Antique Furniture and our accent is antique lighting for your home, or office with handmade parchment shades adorning the selection of unique lamps. We specialize in Decorative Arts and French furniture as well as antique furniture from Spain and Italy, you will find the shop warm and inviting.
|
