Coalbrookdale cast iron dish
I have a particular admiration with fine metal wares. This plate is one such item that demonstrates the quality and craftsmanship of the mid 19th century cast iron workers.
A rare mid nineteenth century Coalbrookdale fruit dish as exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Although this is a relatively common design which was made by Coalbrookdale over a period of 30 years 1840 – 1870, the fact that this dish is of cast iron and remains in perfect condition makes it rather special.
The earliest plates to be manufactured were made of cast iron, however the tricky details of this design did not lend itself to the manufacture with cast iron using relatively crude techniques. Later pieces were made of a more workable alloy and were then copper plated and patinated as bronze.
The famous Schloßbrucke (Palace Bridge) in Berlin.
The design is by a German architect and designer Karl Friedrich Schinkel who travelled to England to study the techniques of cast iron production before returning to Germany where he designed pieces for the famous Berlin foundry. The same motif used of the water gods and hippocampi (sea horses) with tridents on this plate is used on the famous Schloßbrucke (Palace Bridge) in Berlin. Arguably one of the grandest bridges in Berlin and a fantastic historical association with this design of plate.
£220
Coalbrookdale cast iron dish - Back
July 22, 2009 at 10:44 pm |
I have a fruit dish identical to the one pictured on your site. It is on a pedestal base. The two pieces are held together by a screw. Mine is only marked with with the #’s 1245 & 1245C. The base has The number 1236 B. The letters EMIC are also stamped into the dish. I cannot find information on this dish and wondered if you could help