The evening Argus., 1871-03-14
z)ailt, argus.
Tuesday Evening, March IA 1871.
The r,ipe Arts 10 Tron.


destroyed to-day, and, except in a few chem
ical preparations, useful 10 the fine arts
they would not be really missed; but take
away iron, and the lowest grade of civiliza.
tion must ensue; progress would be arrested,
manufactures would cease, travel would
come to stand still, aud the astonished
world, losing Its motive power, would relapse
into primitive barbArism, Even as an orn
amental substance, apart from the expense
which in true art ought not to be q cOnsid
GRAFTON, as beauty Is not matter Of dollars
and cents, iron is more capable OF serving
the purpose of the artists than the SO csHeu
precious metals. In travelling upon 'ho 'Ou'
tinent of Europe, the American will oe struck
with the gorgeous richness OF some o' the
blacksmith's work, in altar rAiiings' gates'
palisades. fountains. and other specimens OF
ar, in iron. Oaentiun Matsys, the black
smith of Antwerp, positively rivalled the
luxurispce of nsture in creating from this
metal. curves. volntes, tendrils, sprigs and
H,wsrs. There is one 6rm in our own coun
try which has paid especial attention to orn-
smental ironwork and which has succeeded
in producing objects of art and beauty in
that material equal to the best specimens OF
middle age forging.
The frm Of Robert Wood & Co., OF
Philadelphia, have for twenty-five years
been earnestly and honorably laboring in
the production of ornamental iron work and
have succeeded in building up bust
ness which il a noticeable feature IN the
manufacturing statistics of the City oi
Brothery Love. Assuccessful workers IN IRON
for purposes of use and ornamental fitness
combined this firm stands proudly forward, !
the first on the American continent and the
work they produce will compare favorAbly |
with the best cas-! or hammered work OF the |
old country. We have seen ratings from |
this establishment, which, for flowing line,
graceful curve. and excellence OF workman
ship, would vie with the palisades of the
kings tomb in Westminster Abbey, and |
spiral staircases in conyolution and beauty |
evusl to the water tower Of the crystal
palace. As ornamental fencing for public |
squares, sltlr rails for Cstho ic or Episcopal
churches, palisades around the sacred spot, !
where rest the ashes of our best beloved, or. |
ornamental fences for the lawn and pleasure
garden, their iron work has few equals and
no superior. Special attention is also due
to the lighter, and more aerial styles so deft
ly formed of Irou wire, and twisted into
thousand ornamental shapes for cou4ters,
olice ratings, or window guards. q another
specially OF ornamental iron work, thay
stand almost alone. We Alude to those
life sized castings from the best models Of
single figures, groups, animals and pedes-
tals, plInths and columns, which add so
much to the rich effects Of garden scenery
aud landscape art. Modelled on the best
copies Of the antique, the wealthy man of
taste may decorate his grounds with ever
lasting ornaments, which would have
Rraced the gardens OF the Hespsrides, and
be at once sn evidence Of his taste, and OBJ
Jeets OF delight to his gaze Sharp, clean,
crisp copies Of the Warwick and other vases
are also produced BY this firm, while garden
chairs, settees, fountains and complete sum
mer houses are manufactured in profusion
Of pattern to please the taste OF the most
fsstidIous.
Ii Is not alone TO ornamental art that
their endeavors are directed, 6utthey pay par
tlcuiar attention to stable furniture and f.
Hngs, racks, managers, trough hs, and the most
esteemed fittings for the cleanliness, conven-
ience and comfort of mans best servant
the horse, engage their careful attention
and study, and any person fitting up accom-
modalious for a single horse or stud should
study their designs and estimates. Ro5er
Wood, the senior partn1r 10 this firm is
man of whom any city may we'll be proud
FIrmness, integrity and steady attention
to business, with that far seeing fore-though
which meets prosperity half way, are tn
ehIet points IN a character which partake
somewhat of the nature of the material b
handles, and which as was seen in Ebepeze
Elliot, the Springfield philosopher aud poe
appears to have an occult influence on th
mental qualities of its workers. He IS on
of the solid men of Phladel phis and h
name is q guarantee OF stability and goo
faith.
Bronze statuary forms comparatively
new feature of the establishment, havin
been instituted only about FIVE years ag
but has already attained to such hig
d1gree Of excellence ss to successfully con
pete with the Oldest bronze works of Europt
There is said to be no other establishmel
in this country having equal facilities fC
such work, and but one other where larg
bronze stalusry is made at all Messr
Wood Co. frequently have orders fro
New York parties to make castings fro
models by the finest artists,
The colossal bronze statue of Lincol
was recently cast by this hrm, from q mod
by Brown, and which is to be placed
Union Park, New ork. L! was cast III g.
pieces, and the whole work, including II
finishing, occupied three months. 1t
eleven feet high, the likeness very true an
faithfully reproduced in the metal, and Ii
statue, as a whole, an admirable piece
workmanship. Since being temPorari
erected i'll front Of the establishment, Gro wC
OF people have visited it daily.
The Office and warerooms of this cele
brated firm are on Ridge Avenue, Phila
delphia, and no better idea of our progress
IN the most artistic of the manufacture ca
be obtained than by paying visit to III
ornamental iron work establishment of Rol
ert Wood l. Co.