From the history of art forging in Russia
The first references to artistic forging dates back to the 7th century, when in Russia the blacksmiths forged metal, giving it the desired shape. At that time, forged products were for the most part practical in nature, their main goal was functionality than decoration, as today. Thus, tools for soil processing and weapons were made. However, among the objects of labor of the blacksmiths one could also find jewelry.
The decorative function as the main forging was received only in the IX-XIITH, when the cathedrals, churches and monasteries in Novgorod, Pskov, Kyiv were decorated with forged elements. Grates for windows, doors of the front door were decorated with flowers. These were the first precursors of art forging.
When the Gothic style penetrated into Russia, in the XII century, decorative ornaments were even more widespread. Forged products personified a person’s connection with nature, because naturalistic motifs often appeared in them: grape leaves, crosses, four -petal rosettes, original flowers. It is during this period that forging loses the main defensive function and becomes a decorative element of design.
Tinato ornaments are also decorated with cathedrals, temples and church. Russian blacksmiths have somewhat modified the Gothic style in accordance with the Russian character, avoiding the severity of the lines. In such traditions, forging a high-Petrovsky monastery on Petrovka, 28.
Another important milestone in the development of artistic forging in Russia is considered to be XVII, when parks are created everywhere in large cities, which require a fence. The era of fences comes in art forging, when the blacksmiths get the opportunity to realize knowledge and skills, creating forged fences near magnificent palaces.
XIX is marked by the introduction of new technologies into art forging. Discussion includes the rental method, which is used to create fences. As a result, the fences themselves become more straightforward, and the process is greatly simplified. So in forged products the classic style begins to appear.
In the 20th century, educational institutions are opening professionally teaching blacksmithing. In 1970, a school preparing art forging masters began to work in Suzdal, and a department for blacksmiths-artists was opened at the school of folk crafts in the Moscow Region. After 5 years, a museum of blacksmithing and technology was founded in the neighboring village of Saltykovka. The museum works a unique library, which contains materials on art forging different times. Various festivals and exhibitions for art forging masters are organized annually in it.
You can order art forging for a home or garden today, when art is again widespread.