“Jacob Marley“; 4″ x 5”, 16 gauge copper, wax finish. The above image is of a copper face that I completed yesterday, using the “pitch” method of repoussé. Some folks refer to this process as “high relief chasing.” In April of this year, Tom Latané of T+C Latané, Pepin, WI,
Photograph by George Lottermoser. The following information may be useful for the blacksmith, as well as for those who wish to commission a blacksmith for a future project. Based on recent dealings with a current client, I would like to take time out from discussing images of ironwork to discuss
“Candlestick 2005” 7″ x 12-1/2″, Gilders Paste ™ finish, Mild steel. Lighting provides a wide range of opportunity for design. In this post, I will show a few of my favorite candlesticks that I created in the past several years. “Candlestick 2007” 5-1/2″ x 11-1/2″, Gilders Paste ™ finish,
The gate in the image above was designed for a client that needed a security gate for an outdoor pool. In Wisconsin, there are several requirements for pool gates in order to meet building codes, designed to keep young children from drowning. One of the features the gate needs to
This piece, entitled “Escutcheon”, by master blacksmith Cyril Colnik (1871-1958) is one of the finest examples of repoussé that I have ever seen. It is made from 16 gauge (1/16″ thick) iron, demonstrating the elastic nature of iron. This piece, with it’s cherubs, laurels, ribbons, along with a crown with
Above is a European sign bracket, a fine example the German Renaissance style. It was one of several “tavern style” sign brackets I restored for this client. Below are images taken after sandblasting, revealing the delicate chased details. Above we see a fine example of the whimsical figurines so often
Of all the ironwork I have seen in this country, this fine Baroque style gate stands to be one of the finest installations, as it is truly exceptional in many aspects. I happened upon this while researching an unrelated prospect about eight years ago, with an interior designer south of
These are images from a repair job for a client whose iron fence had been struck by a car. The fence was made by Cyril Colnik. Repairing and restoring vintage ironwork has many rewards and also some surprises. In this case, the surprise was how Colnik solved a joint problem
The following images, in a chronological format, show some of the decorative sign brackets I have made over the years. All are hand-forged, with the exception of the “Toldt Woods” sign, and parts of the “Carroll College” archway. The image below of the “Faces II” bracket was not only my
Continuing with the liturgical aspects of decorative ironwork……… This Grave Cross was one of several pieces I restored for a client in southeastern Wisconsin. This collection of ironwork is extraordinary in that most of it is of a distinct European flavor, spanning several styles and applications. The exciting aspect to
NAUMAN’S NORTHERN SCHOOL FOR BLACKSMITHS
