Wrought Iron Architectural Metalwork
Designed & manufactured in the U.K
By: Chris Topp & Co Ltd, North Yorkshire
Tel: 01845 501415
Stirling castle in Scotland has completed a £12 million-restoration programme; we have finished our contract to provide many decorative metal ironwork features. This programme was part of a refurbishment of this Renaissance palace by Historic Scotland who wanted to ensure that when the public visited the castle they would be stepping back in time and entering the palace when James and Mary were alive in the 1540’s. This stage of their 20-year programme that started in 1991 is the most ambitious to date and a bold move to raise the castle into a visitor attraction of ‘must visit status’.
Historical records have been consulted and researched and the ironwork we have made has been made as far as possible using the traditional techniques of 14th century blacksmiths.
Our contract included, twelve floor standing six foot high candle standards, for these we visited the Victoria and Albert museum in London to view a surviving pair to gain knowledge of the detailing, six cast iron fire backs, six fire baskets, eight Andiron with cast bronze detailing – Mars & Venus, crowns, coats of arms have all be accurately replicated. Four fire dogs, many tapestry rods four brass chandeliers, one set of fire place equipment, two brass candle sticks, two silver plated bronze candle sticks and various styles and sizes of brackets.
Our blacksmiths have had great fun in recreating pieces of iron work made in the 15th century, but adapted to 21st century safety requirements and modern day living, Candle standards and chandeliers that would have been used with candles that now have modern day electric looking candles in place, but we have had to adapt the detailing to allow for electric cabling to be concealed inside the objects. A challenge and a half on some of the items!
