97/60/3

Arthur Holloway (Maker)

A wrought iron ornament in the form of a leaf with an insect on it. It was made by Arthur Holloway, a blacksmith from Bradfield in Berkshire.
A wrought iron ornament or sample in the form of a leaf with an insect on it. It was made by Arthur Holloway, a blacksmith from Bradfield in Berkshire, who taught himself how to make decorative wrought iron pieces.

1 ornamental leaf: metal (wrought-iron); good condition

Article, ‘Evening Mail’, 17 August 1970 – ‘Unique wrought iron // The black wrought iron ornaments in the picture are just a few of a fine collection belonging to Mrs. Eliza Holloway of Billet Lane, Iver Heath. // “They are certainly antique, but I have no idea how valuable they are. What I do know, though, is that they are all unique”, said 80-year-old widow Mrs. Holloway. // “They were made by my husband’s father, Arthur Holloway, who lived in Bradfield. // “He was born in 1844 and was a blacksmith all his life. But as a side line to shoeing horses, he used to make these wrought iron ornaments. // “I can remember going over to see him during the holidays and watching him at work. It was fascinating. Once when we went on a walk he picked out a flower he wanted to copy and med it when he got back”, she added. // Arthur Holloway got most of his work direct from nature – flowers, insects and small animals. But he often used to incorporate the design into something useful like a matchbox holder, candleholders, toasting forks or mirrors. // “The chrysanthemums round my mirror are made of old nails out of an old horseshoe, although you would never believe it,” said Mrs. Holloway. // “Arthur was never taught or apprenticed in decorative wrought iron work. He learned the art by himself. But I don’t think many people knew about it. // “The boys from Bradfield College knew all about him and his work though. He used to live just by the college. // “What is remarkable about his work was that it was made from one piece of wrought iron. Nothing was soldered on or brazed. // “It must have been difficult to make those petals and leaves on the ornament, so terribly thin and delicate. He only used a small fire. But then he was a marvellous man. He was still shoeing the occasional horse in his 70’s not long before he died”, she said.’, MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Standard museum name: SAMPLES – WROUGHT IRON LEAF DESIGNS // Accession number: 97/60/1–3 // … // Recorder: JMB // Date: 16.9.98 // Description: Wrought iron designs as follows:– // (1) Twig with oak leaf and acorn plus butterfly // (2) Twig and oak leaf only // (3) Circular leaf with insect // Dimensions: 10–14 cms x 8–12 cms // Associated information: Made by Arthur Holloway.’

Bradfield [West Berkshire [unitary authority]]

1900-01-01 - 1924-12-31

Early-twentieth century