[nb-NO]Object number[nb-NO]
97/54
[nb-NO]Creator[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]Description[nb-NO]
A metal vase with a wrought iron surround consisting of a vine branch with leaves and tendrils. The vase has a round iron base. 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 vase: metal (incl. wrought-iron); good condition
[nb-NO]Archival history[nb-NO]
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: VASE SAMPLE – WROUGHT IRON // Accession number: 97/54 // … // Recorder: JMB // Date: 28.5.98 // Description: Metal flower holder surrounded by wrought iron work consisting of vine branch with leaves and tendrils. It has a round iron base. // Dimensions: Height: 24.0 cm // Diameter base: 12.0 cm // Diameter top: 9.0 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]