One word for Louisiana ornamental iron work?

September 5, 2005 8:15 PM

What is the name of a type of ornamental iron-work specific to southern Louisiana?

Google has been no help, and I am fairly sure this is a one word answer. All of the recent business in New Orleans got me thinking about this, and I just can't seem to put my finger on it.

posted by anarcation to media & arts (7 comments total)

I think you're talking about "Spanish wrought iron."
posted by mds35 at 8:25 PM on September 5, 2005

This stuff? It's called wrought iron.
posted by acridrabbit at 8:27 PM on September 5, 2005

Also, I think sometimes it is referred to as "Valencia" iron.
posted by mds35 at 8:30 PM on September 5, 2005

I would venture to call it Rococo. It's a style from late 1800s France if I remember it correctly. That should give you a better launch point to research the architecture more.

However, the French Quarter was influenced by the Spanish, so it could be a unique hybrid of two styles found nowhere else.
posted by idiotfactory at 8:57 PM on September 5, 2005

"Spanish wrought iron."

Yep ... after the fires of 1788 and 1794 the predominantly French architecture was replaced by Spanish designs:

"Wrought iron balconies lining the narrow streets of New Orleans historic Vieux Carré are one of the French Quarter's most prominent and memorable features....Balconies frequently resemble a tropical garden teaming with ivy, bromelaids, begonias and ferns. Others use their elevated display cases to exhibit personal treasures — everything from art to suits of armor.

The adjective most often used to describe New Orleans French Quarter balconies is "lacy."

....Traditional decorative ironwork is not easy to maintain. Repousse — shaped or decorated with patterns in relief formed by hammering and pressing on the reverse side — is often difficult to paint....Most of the ironwork in the French Quarter is actually cast iron and dates to the 1850's when this type of adornment became wildly popular.

The French Quarter gained its Spanish architectural flavor, including balconies, when over 850 buildings, almost the entire French Quarter, burned down in 1788. [source].

posted by ericb at 8:57 PM on September 5, 2005

From what I remember from my one visit there, I think a lot of it may be cast iron, rather than wrought iron.
posted by small_ruminant at 11:47 PM on September 5, 2005

Nevermind. ericb said it better.
posted by small_ruminant at 11:48 PM on September 5, 2005