Object number
97/53
Creator
Description
An oval mirror frame made from wrought iron with a wooden back. It is decorated with a design of flowers and leaves around the edge. The frame was made by Arthur Holloway, a blacksmith from Bradfield in Berkshire, who taught himself how to make decorative wrought iron pieces.
Physical description
1 mirror: iron, wood; good condition
Archival history
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: MIRROR – SAMPLE WROUGHT IRON // Accession number: 97/53 // … // Recorder: JMB // Date: 28.5.98 // Description: oval mirror made from wrought iron with wooden back. It has flower & leaf decoration round the edge. // One flower has become detached. // Dimensions: Approx length: 55.0 cm // Approx width: 53.0 cm // [both] including decoration // Associated information: Made by Arthur Holloway. He was Mrs Smith’s grandfather. // References: The World’s Work August 1923'
Production place
Bradfield [West Berkshire [unitary authority]]
Production date
1900-01-01 - 1924-12-31
Production period
Early-twentieth century
Object name
Material
Technique
Associated subject