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Wrought Iron in the Centuries Old Method of Fabricating
One of the original art forms expressed in Charleston was blacksmithing for the gates and fencing in Charleston. It has carried on thorugh the centuries by the blacksmithing studios in the area. Philip Simmons lived almost a century and through most of his life he crafted beautiful pieces of art via gates and fencing that can be found all over the city of Charleston today. His legacy lives on in the apprentices and students that he mentored.
Jullian Williams, blacksmith, will be forming sculptures from his designs inspired by the old gates. Williams and Martin believe that it is an art form that deserves expression in a way that can be displayed in homes of those that revere this work. Using rivets and collars instead of welding as in centuries past, Williams will exclusively display his work at the Mary Martin Gallery at 103 Broad Street. Custom work is invited.
| "Decorative ironwork may be seen all around the city in balconies, gates, stair railings, vents, boot scrapes, and decorative panels and finials. The city's ironwork, as it graces houses, churches and civic structures, is undeniably one of its greatest architectural treasures.
The oldest remaining ironwork in the city dates to the Revolutionary War period, although ironwork balconies appeared on Charleston houses as early as 1739. This early iron is wrought iron; iron which has been molded and pounded into shape by a blacksmith using a forge, anvil and hammer. Wrought ironwork of the 18th and 19th centuries features scrolls, fleur-de-lis, leaf and flower patterns, spears and wiggletails. Philip Simmons, Charleston's best known blacksmith, continued this time-honored craft and created some of the city's most treasured pieces". Written by the Historical Society about this art form.
Philip Simmons legacy lives on in the blacksmiths who still forge the gates and rails of homes and buildings in this area. Julian Williams is such a blacksmsith who has studied the old historical methods of using rivets and collars. Creating a piece in the historical manner is like putting a puzzle together as some pieces will thread through other pieces with parts being shaped after the threading. Of course, welding, being a "new" method is also offered and can be used at half the cost by those who want an iron gate.
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