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Balustrade

1862 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

These four demonstration panels of scrolling foliage in a reformed Gothic style and set within a continuous balustrade were probably intended as display samples for the International Exhibition of 1862. It is thought that these panels were manufactured by John Hardman and Co. of Birmingham.

John Hardman (1812 - 1867) was a member of prominent Roman Catholic family of Birmingham button manufacturers. In 1837 he met A.W.N. Pugin, with whom he developed a close friendship. On Pugin's suggestion, Hardman set up his own metalwork enterprise in 1838 named John Hardman & Co. William Powell, Hardman's brother-in-law, was his partner in the firm. They described themselves as 'Medieval Metalworkers' and produced ecclesiastical and domestic plate after designs in a rich Gothic style provided by Pugin. From 1845 the company also made stained glass to designs by Pugin, and later to designs provided by Pugin's only pupil, and Hardman's nephew, John Hardman Powell.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Wrought iron
Brief description
Balustrade, (a series of exhibition panels), wrought iron. England, Birmingham, about 1862.
Physical description
A series of four wrought iron panels of scrolling foliage in a reformed Gothic style, mounted as a continuous balustrade.
Dimensions
  • Length: 274cm
Marks and inscriptions
No marks
Credit line
Given by Michael and Mariko Whiteway
Object history
These four demonstration panels of scrolling foliage in a reformed Gothic style and set within a continuous balustrade were probably intended as display samples for the International Exhibition of 1862. It is thought that these panels were manufactured by John Hardman and Co. of Birmingham.
Historical context
John Hardman (1812 - 1867) was a member of prominent Roman Catholic family of Birmingham button manufacturers. In 1837 he met A.W.N. Pugin, with whom he developed a close friendship. On Pugin's suggestion, Hardman set up his own metalwork enterprise in 1838 named John Hardman & Co. William Powell, Hardman's brother-in-law, was his partner in the firm. They described themselves as 'Medieval Metalworkers' and produced ecclesiastical and domestic plate after designs in a rich Gothic style provided by Pugin. From 1845 the company also made stained glass to designs by Pugin, and later to designs provided by Pugin's only pupil, and Hardman's nephew, John Hardman Powell.
Subject depicted
Summary
These four demonstration panels of scrolling foliage in a reformed Gothic style and set within a continuous balustrade were probably intended as display samples for the International Exhibition of 1862. It is thought that these panels were manufactured by John Hardman and Co. of Birmingham.

John Hardman (1812 - 1867) was a member of prominent Roman Catholic family of Birmingham button manufacturers. In 1837 he met A.W.N. Pugin, with whom he developed a close friendship. On Pugin's suggestion, Hardman set up his own metalwork enterprise in 1838 named John Hardman & Co. William Powell, Hardman's brother-in-law, was his partner in the firm. They described themselves as 'Medieval Metalworkers' and produced ecclesiastical and domestic plate after designs in a rich Gothic style provided by Pugin. From 1845 the company also made stained glass to designs by Pugin, and later to designs provided by Pugin's only pupil, and Hardman's nephew, John Hardman Powell.
Collection
Accession number
M.223-2007

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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