Some of the finest hand wrought ironwork ever produced was in the early 1900’s. This was a time when a leap in technologies for the metal arts took place. Finally, there was a way to attach smaller pieces of metalwork without having to use forge welding, collars, and rivets. The blacksmith was now able to integrate into his metalwork almost any other metal with the use of the oxy-acetylene torch! The photo above shows Edgar Brandt’s five paneled folding screen, "The Oasis." This screen is a prime example of the use of this new technology. What an exciting period this must have been for blacksmiths!

 

As you have probably figured out, I am enthralled with the Art Nouveau and Art Deco period. My own metal art is affected by the curvilinear forms found in nature. This concept is embedded in the soul of the nouveau style. When I was turned on to the original first edition of Henri Clouzot's "Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes" (International Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Modern Arts) Paris 1925, found in the basement archives of the North Carolina State University Library, I was so amazed by the quality and size of the plates in the book, that I scanned each individual plate at a high resolution. Actually, the plates were too large for my scanner, so I scanned individual photos from the plates. Most of the time, the photos were broken up into two parts on each plate. I did this because I wanted to study the fine details of joinery and texture these photographs had. I have yet to find any publisher that has taken the time to compile a high resolution record of these plates.