1890`s English Arts & Crafts Giant Antique Gong, Wrought Iron & Solid Brass, in the Style of Townshends of Birmingham

Description

Arts & Crafts giant antique gong, wrought iron & solid brass, in the style of Townshends of Birmingham,1890`s ca, English. … more Arts & Crafts giant antique gong, wrought iron & solid brass, in the style of Townshends of Birmingham,1890`s ca, English.

This antique item has been gently cleaned while respecting the aged patina, it is ready to use.

This unique Arts & Crafts quality piece has many of the design features of Townshends & Co Ltd of Birmingham, the attributed designer & manufacturer: the quality handcrafted wrought iron frame and the distinctive patterns on brass.

This piece exemplifies the ideals & techniques of the Arts & Crafts Movement: all the components were made and put together by hand. The metal wrought iron frame & brass gong have a hand hammered finish, embossed & engraved details, all within an organic form.

It has exceptionally large proportions and could be placed either on the floor or on top of furniture, such as a sideboard, table or console. This piece has a substantial & sculptural presence. It would complement a range of interiors such as Art Deco, Antique, Hollywood Regency, Traditional, Country, Contemporary or Industrial.

Structurally the composition consists of a wrought iron frame painted black with a hanging solid brass bossed gong & iron mallet. The iron & brass work is of great quality & craftsmanship.

The handmade wrought iron frame is shaped as a big half arch opened to one side. The top portion `ribbon-like` curls become the top handle and is also the area where the brass gong hangs, together with a hook for the mallet. The frame continues with unfolding curls to the bottom becoming three `ribbon-like` metal legs. The organic continuous metal work keeps the decorative effect `soft` and adds a sense of movement. At the bottom the feet are finished with an outward portion rolled. Five decorative iron leaves beautifully spring up from the frame as well as three thin spiral swirling flowers. The exceptional craftmanship of the artist maker can be seen particularly where these metal decorations organically & continuously join the main frame: such as on top of the gong area of the frame & the starting point of the leaves.

The removable bossed gong in solid brass has a hammered textured finish. It has a good weight & a chamber making a nice sound. It could be hanged to the frame facing right or left.

The wrought iron mallet is the original antique to the piece, handmade, and decorated with similar organic motifs as the frame.

This antique gong is in very good condition for its age. The antique patina has been preserved. The complete structure has a good weight and is very stable. The frame is sound with no missing or broken parts. There are minor marks & aged patina to the metal as in the photographs. Probably the black paint has been retouched in places over the years. The brass gong is in very good condition. The antique mallet is in good condition with the original felted head. The leather cord is a quality new replacement.

Additional dimensions:

The brass gong alone is: Diameter: 26 cm, Depth: 7 cm.

Packing is offered free of charge. We take special professional care with packing. For safe transport the item will be wrapped in bubble wrap, foam and an outer layer of card. The gong & mallet would be removed and wrapped separately. Together these pieces would then easily fit into a box with loose cushioning for secure shipping with a courier. We ship with reliable couriers (signed for, tracked & insured).

TOWNSHENDS LTD ART METAL Co. ENGLAND HISTORY

Townshends Ltd (T & Co) was the name used from circa 1890 when the Company started production, then Townshend Art Metal Co (Townshend & Co). It started production in Earnest St, Holloway Head, Birmingham making quality brass foundry and copper, and brass art metalware such as holloware and tableware for up-market retailers, for this reason many pieces were not marked at production. After WWI the company shift to the production of industrial heaters.

The ‘Acanthus’ trade mark was used only for a short-lived period after 1894 for the production of the distinctive pattern on copper sheet. This metal was significantly harder than most previously used. It was hard rolled and pre-patterned while flat with the registered `Acanthus` design before fabrication by stamping and pressing. The most common products found are trays of various shapes with distinctive heavily deckled edges. The edges of the trays were attractively raised to help keep the trays rigid. The shapes of the trays were both decorative and functional. The sheet was also used for the production of fireguards, candlesticks, gongs, cake stands, crumb trays, pipe racks, jardinières and candle sconces. The Townshends registered design numbers, in this case No 179131, are present in the National Archive. less