The genius behind the lawn at Chatsworth was Capability Brown (1716-1783). In the course of…
Cast Iron Garden Furniture Became Popular after 1860
The English landscape gardener Humphry Repton (1752-1818) wrote in 1799 ,”A few garden chairs carelessly scattered to command the most interesting points, or take advantage of the most desirable circumstances of sun or shade — give the garden, which would otherwise be comparatively dull, the character of cheerfulness.”
Garden furniture, whether made of stone, wood, or metal can also add an element of art to the garden.
Metal furniture for the garden, first hand crafted and later machine-made, has long been used in the garden. Wrought iron and cast iron furniture can both look alike, but are made quite differently.
Allison Kyle Leopold writes in her book The Victorian Garden, “Gaining its first wave of popularity in the 1840s and ’50s, cast iron had a heavy molded appearance that was a sharp contrast to the delicately made, hand-forged wrought iron of previous decades.”
As with many forms of art work, nineteenth century mass production may have decreased the quality of items like clothing, shoes, and furniture, including tables and chairs for the garden, but also more people could afford the item.
Notice the metal table and chairs I feature in the center of my garden. [below] Though they may look old, and present even an antique charm to the garden, they are an example of available garden furniture, made in a cast iron process that makes the cost less expensive.
Garden furniture can still add a touch of art, whimsy, and also a sense of welcome to a garden.
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Excellent post! Really enjoyed reading your post. I love teak furniture it is really so beautiful and it’s durable too. I the past few years I think to take some good collection of teak furniture in my garden and a few even in my living room.
Garden furniture can still add a touch of art, whimsy, and also a sense of welcome to a garden.
I think that the Robert Wood foundry in Philadelphia produced cast iron garden furniture between 1804 -1858.
Barbara, that period for making cast iron garden furniture makes sense from what Leopold says in her book. Thanks for the comment.
BEAUTIFUL…….I adore garden furniture especially the antique stuff!
Thanks for responding. I too like this kind of furniture in the garden. It adds so much charm to the plants that surround it. Furniture like this can be like a welcome mat to the garden.