Not currently on display at the V&A

Gate Cresting

ca. 1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Germany (made)

Crestings such as this were a common element of ironwork gates and screens, and provided an opportunity for an elaborate display of the blacksmith's skill. Ironwork of this type is very rarely dated; once a piece has been removed from its context the only means of attribution is stylistic. The scrolled foliage has a Baroque exuberance despite its delicacy, which, combined with the quality of the workmanship, make this cresting typical of the ironwork of South Germany.


Object details

Categories
Metalwork
Access_to_Images 2003
Ironwork
Architectural Fittings
SCRAN
Object type
Gate cresting
Materials and techniques
Wrought iron, with applied embossed and engraved decoration
Wrought Iron
Embossing
Engraving
Brief description
Cresting from a gate, wrought iron, German, ca. 1700
Physical description
Cresting from a gate, wrought iron with applied embossed and engraved foilage scrolls.
Dimensions
  • Height: 77cm
  • Width: 140cm
Style
Baroque
Gallery label
PEDIMENT OF A GATE Wrought iron Germany; 18th century 5979-1856 With interlaced strapwork (ornament of interlaced bands), surmounted by a coronet.(07/1994)
Subject depicted
Scrolling Foliage
Summary
Crestings such as this were a common element of ironwork gates and screens, and provided an opportunity for an elaborate display of the blacksmith's skill. Ironwork of this type is very rarely dated; once a piece has been removed from its context the only means of attribution is stylistic. The scrolled foliage has a Baroque exuberance despite its delicacy, which, combined with the quality of the workmanship, make this cresting typical of the ironwork of South Germany.
Bibliographic references
  • Baker, Malcolm, and Brenda Richardson (eds.), A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London: V&A Publications, 1999.
  • Hall, Michael. No Barriers to the Imagination. Country Life. Sept. 3rd 1992. pp.54-55.
Collection
Metalwork Collection
Accession number
5979-1856

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Record createdNovember 6, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O85225/gate-cresting-unknown/
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