Iron is a strong, abundant metal that has been worked by people for some three thousand years, and in the antiques world it appears in two main forms: wrought iron and cast iron. Wrought iron is a fibrous, low-carbon iron that can be heated and hammered into shape, while cast iron has a higher carbon content and is melted and poured into moulds.
Wrought iron was the material of the blacksmith, used for gates, railings, hinges, locks, firedogs, candle stands and weapons. Cast iron became widely available in Britain after Abraham Darby's work at Coalbrookdale in the early eighteenth century, and during the Victorian period foundries produced cast iron fire grates, firebacks, garden benches, urns, fountains, balustrades, stoves, bedsteads and architectural components in great quantity. Wrought iron can be identified by its grain and hand-forged details, cast iron by mould lines and a more uniform, brittle character. Collectors value crisp casting, original paint layers and maker's marks from foundries such as Coalbrookdale and Carron. Rust is the main enemy; iron should be kept dry, waxed or painted, and conserved rather than aggressively stripped.
