Some of the most awe-inspiring works of iron are the powerful forms of our earliest African blacksmiths, shown here. The worked iron of these early pieces conveys a raw vitality in their stark lines. Through the centuries, the forged and worked metals have traveled with us, mirroring the craftsmanship, finesse, elegance, and even fussy overdone detailing of our cultural sensibilities.   

We have come full circle to the Age of Dwell, with a keen sense of the sleek and understated, the inobtrusiveness of objects. And yet, this is where iron comes into its own again, simple, clean-lined and powerful. Support structures like columns, and architectural details like railings and gates work magnificently the structural integrity of metals. Yesterday's blacksmith may be stymied by this new clean look, but the contemporary smith has a rich vocabulary of handworked details that give understated elegance to a stripped-down architecture.

Mockup of a double handrail connection expertly constructed for crisp detailing.

Below, the skilled metalsmith understands how to use the qualities of metal to create arresting details, giving life to a stripped-down project.

Below, metal is drawn out to form a wrap around another element for an interesting connnection.

A recent innovation at the forging press, this "Claydon's Knot" is a show-stopping connection detail in pipe.