The Antique Furniture Company

Description

A Coalbrookdale Horse Chestnut pattern cast iron garden seat or bench, circa 1870. The pierced back and sides with a scrolling design depicting horse chestnut leaves and fruits, with metal seat frame and oak slats. Fully stamped Coalbrookdale Co and with design no. 217568 and diamond registration mark, this was the largest size they produced in this design. In good structural condition, some hairline cracks, the white gloss paintwork needs minor touching up where some rust spots starting to appear, the oak slats with an oiled finish and in good condition,

The design of this seat, number 217568, was registered and patented by the Coalbrookdale Iron Foundry at The Public Record Office on 23rd March 1868, and is number 46 in their 1875 Castings Catalogue.

Furnaces are believed to exist in the settlement of Coalbrookdale from the 17th century until 1703 the furnace blew up and became derelict. However, in 1709 Abraham Darby, a Bristol brass and iron founder and ironmonger, rebuilt the Coalbrookdale Furnace and formed the Coalbrookdale Company. Rather than using charcoal Abraham Darby used the local coal to fire the furnace and since this was lower in impurities than normal coal it produced a superior iron. By the 1830’s the Coalbrookdale Co became noted for its decorative ironwork, including the gates of London's Hyde Park and in 1849 the Company was awarded the Gold Medal of the Society of Arts for its castings, another award followed in1851 at the Great Exhibition held that year.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or for more photos.

The overall dimensions at the largest points are approximately
Width - 74.5in (189cm)
Depth - 31in (79cm)
Height - 38.5in (98cm)
Seat area - 70.75in wide x 17.25in deep x 17in high (179.5cm x 44cm x 43cm)

Ref: 0587
Please appreciate all our items are antique and as such may have minor scratches, marks, knocks, shrinkage splits signs of old woodworm, and minor losses to veneer, which combine with care and years of polishing to create an individual character and patina. We cannot describe each marks separately and therefore suggest you do take the time to request extra photos. We do offer a 14 day money back guarantee for UK purchases but cannot refund the return shipping cost.