[nb-NO]Object number[nb-NO]
97/58
[nb-NO]Creator[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]Description[nb-NO]
A three-pronged wrought iron toasting fork with the handle in the form of a snake. It was made by Arthur Holloway, a blacksmith from Bradfield in Berkshire, who taught himself how to make decorative wrought iron pieces.
[nb-NO]Physical description[nb-NO]
1 toasting fork: metal (wrought iron); good condition
[nb-NO]Archival history[nb-NO]
MERL Object Handling Research, Rachael Rogers, December 2019 - 'This is a three-pronged wrought iron toasting fork with the handle in the form of a snake. It was made by Arthur Holloway, a blacksmith from Bradfield in Berkshire, who taught himself how to make decorative wrought iron pieces. // Arthur Holloway was originally trained as a blacksmith, but later started to work with wrought iron to make ornaments. He was heavily inspired by nature, but would fashion his designs into practical items, including utensils, candlestick holders, and vases. In an Evening Mail article, dated 17 August 1970, Arthur Holloway’s daughter-in-law, said of Mr Holloway; ‘They are certainly antique, but I have no idea how valuable they are. What I do know, though, is that they are all unique. They were made by my husband’s father, Arthur Holloway, who lived in Bradfield. He was born in 1844 and was a blacksmith all his life. But as a side-line to shoeing horses, he used to make these wrought iron ornaments. I can remember going over to see him during the holidays and watching him at work. It was fascinating. Once when we went on a walk he picked out a flower he wanted to copy and med it when he got back. The chrysanthemums round my mirror are made of old nails out of an old horseshoe, although you would never believe it,” said Mrs. Holloway. Arthur was never taught or apprenticed in decorative wrought iron work. He learned the art by himself. But I don’t think many people knew about it. The boys from Bradfield College knew all about him and his work though. He used to live just by the college. What is remarkable about his work was that it was made from one piece of wrought iron. Nothing was soldered on or brazed. It must have been difficult to make those petals and leaves on the ornament, so terribly thin and delicate. He only used a small fire. But then he was a marvellous man. He was still shoeing the occasional horse in his 70’s not long before he died’. // Wrought iron is an iron alloy comprised of iron and fibrous slag – the glass-like by-product resulting from the separation, or smelting, of a desired metal. Wrought iron has a number of properties that make it desirable for the production of objects such as this; it is tough, malleable, corrosion resistant and easy to weld. For this reason it is used for a wide range of products, including intricately designed gates and fences. It is favoured for its durability and corrosion resistant properties, and is often used for metal items placed outside for long periods of time. The Eiffel Tower is one such example. // This toasting fork is recorded as having been made between 1900 and 1923 when Mr Holloway would have been in his late 70s. // It is unknown whether this items was used as a utensil or if it was simply a decorative item. Toasting forks would, historically, have been used for toasting foods over coal and open flames. Toasting forks have a centuries-long history and continue to be used in some parts of the world today, including Britain. // The MERL holds an extensive collection of wrought iron items produced by Arthur Holloway with a total of 21 items. These include both practical and decorative items, including candlestick holders [see MERL object 97/57], such as this wrought iron example, depicting a snake entwined around the holder, and an ornament depicting a lizard and a snake holding a tray between them [see MERL object 97/59]', Article, ‘Evening Mail’, 17 August 1970 – ‘Unique wrought iron // The black wrought iron ornaments in the picture are just a few of a fine collection belonging to Mrs. Eliza Holloway of Billet Lane, Iver Heath. // “They are certainly antique, but I have no idea how valuable they are. What I do know, though, is that they are all unique”, said 80-year-old widow Mrs. Holloway. // “They were made by my husband’s father, Arthur Holloway, who lived in Bradfield. // “He was born in 1844 and was a blacksmith all his life. But as a side line to shoeing horses, he used to make these wrought iron ornaments. // “I can remember going over to see him during the holidays and watching him at work. It was fascinating. Once when we went on a walk he picked out a flower he wanted to copy and med it when he got back”, she added. // Arthur Holloway got most of his work direct from nature – flowers, insects and small animals. But he often used to incorporate the design into something useful like a matchbox holder, candleholders, toasting forks or mirrors. // “The chrysanthemums round my mirror are made of old nails out of an old horseshoe, although you would never believe it,” said Mrs. Holloway. // “Arthur was never taught or apprenticed in decorative wrought iron work. He learned the art by himself. But I don’t think many people knew about it. // “The boys from Bradfield College knew all about him and his work though. He used to live just by the college. // “What is remarkable about his work was that it was made from one piece of wrought iron. Nothing was soldered on or brazed. // “It must have been difficult to make those petals and leaves on the ornament, so terribly thin and delicate. He only used a small fire. But then he was a marvellous man. He was still shoeing the occasional horse in his 70’s not long before he died”, she said.’, MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Standard museum name: SAMPLE – WROUGHT IRON TOASTING FORK // Accession number: 97/58 // … // Recorder: JMB // Date: 16.9.98 // Description: Three pronged wrought iron toasting fork with the handle in a form of a snake. // Dimensions: Height: 47.5 cm // Associated information: Made by Arthur Holloway.’
[nb-NO]Production place[nb-NO]
Bradfield [West Berkshire [unitary authority]]
[nb-NO]Date[nb-NO]
1900-01-01 - 1924-12-31
[nb-NO]Production period[nb-NO]
Early-twentieth century
[nb-NO]Object name[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]Material[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]Technique[nb-NO]