Forged Skewers and Holder by Jay T. Close

Forged from mild steel.

Photo supplied by Jay T. Close.

Forged Kitchen Equipment by Jay T. Close

A "flesh fork" of forged and file polished mild steel.

Photo supplied by Jay T. Close.

Forged Table Brackets by Jay T. Close, Blacksmith and Whitesmith

The first photos illustrate one of a pair of console table brackets (forged mild steel) based on ones in an 18th c. Virginia home. These were mounted to a wall in the entrance hall of a high style house and held a polished marble top. They were pretty common in England, based on the numbers that are held by the Victoria and Albert museum,  but only a handful survive in America that I am aware of. Alston Deas illustrates one from Charleston, SC and I think there is another pair in museum storage at Williamsburg.

My principle line of work is  recreations of historical ironwork: domestic untensils, building hardware, tradesmen's tools etc. done in an 18th c. or early 19th c. style. I was a time served apprentice at Colonial Williamsburg and received my journeyman's certificate in 1995.

Copy and photos supplied by Jay T. Close.