Wrought iron furniture has been in use since the oldest of times. The use of iron as a furniture material dates from the 12th century. The term “wrought iron furniture” means furniture that was wrought by hand, as opposed to casting. Casting refers to melting the iron and pouring it into a mold. Wrought iron furniture on the other hand, is made from iron that has been beaten and pounded with hammers, typically by a blacksmith although today we see an increasing use of replica-type wrought iron furniture that is manufactured to look like it was done by hand. The word “wrought” means something that has been produced through the manual effort of a person.
Wrought iron has been used since ancient times as a building material for making weapons, structural supports, bridge building and of course chains, locks and other items. After the advent of steel, which is a superior material for most purposes where wrought iron was previously used, wrought iron has become more of a decorative item. You will see that today, wrought iron is still very popular as a material for making gates, railings, window bars, outdoor furniture, as well as indoor furniture, and many other uses. Wrought iron furniture is sought after as a type of patio furniture. |
