History

• The Chinese invented cast iron in the 6th century B.C. Wrought iron, developed later, is almost pure iron and contains much less carbon than cast iron; it's therefore malleable and perfectly suited for decorative work. The wrought-iron railing became a favored architectural decoration after the Industrial Revolution in England, in the early 1800s.
  
  

Manufacture

• Blacksmiths crafted ornate wrought-iron railings by hand. Blacksmith craftsmen pounded or riveted the railings, or melded pieces together with intense heat. Homeowners lavished their 17th- and 18th-century porches, balconies, roof crests and gates with ornate and even ostentatious iron designs.
  
  

Decline

• Wrought-iron railings are typically exposed to the elements, and the material and connections deteriorate over time. Wax finishes and paint delay corrosion, but natural decay, vandalism and pitting led to the overall decline in prevalence that wrought iron once enjoyed. Today, wrought-iron railings consist partly of steel in an effort to resist corrosion and provide additional stability.
  
  

Styles

• At the height of wrought-iron railings in the Victorian era, blacksmiths sculpted them into elegantly twisted and curved architectural works of art. With the addition of steel and the mass manufacture of railings in factories, wrought-iron railings became more streamlined and plain. Today, a wide variety of styles are available for all types of construction.