Wrought Iron & Wine Racks
Wrought iron and wine racks go together like horse and buggy. Both of these bare necessities/luxury items have a rich tradition and long history.
Of course, we all know that wine has been a staple of Western civilization since before the iron age. But wrought iron itself has its own story to tell. With very low carbon levels, wrought iron has been a major element of toolmaking for a very long time. Before steel took over, swords and blades, nails and rivets, and practically anything made from malleable steel products was made out of wrought iron. I’d imagine that ancient wine racks were made from the material as well.
Regardless of the type of material Romans, Egyptians, and Sumerians used to build their wine racks and other storage facilities, we know they used wrought iron to build many other things. Because the material is strong it has a wide range of uses.
Today, wrought iron is still used but it isn’t a primary material like it used to be. Many things that were made from wrought iron in ages past are now made from metal. But wine racks are still made using wrought iron and some of the most elaborate designs can make for some great décor. These wine racks are not just for storage, but they can also be used to beautify a room or an entire house.
Wrought iron wine racks can be large or small. They can stand in the corner of one room or line an entire wall. They can be short or tall. But they are rarely ugly.
A wrought iron wine rack can accentuate the wine it holds as well as keep it preserved for future use. They are sturdy and last longer than plain wood wine racks though they can often have the same look as wood. If you paint your wrought iron wine rack just right, it could be difficult to tell the difference without an up close inspection.
The process to make a wine rack from wrought iron takes place in several steps. The iron has to be heated to such a degree that the iron becomes soft and bends. The blacksmith then uses a hammer and anvil to sculpt it into shape. Next, the blacksmith must cool the iron so that it can hold its shape. This usually involves letting the iron sit, but it can’t just sit without protecting the shape that was forged. It must be held into place with materials that will not allow it move or shift until the hardening process is complete.
Hand forging wrought iron in this manner is a specialized skill that must be learned. Many hours of practice go into forging wrought iron wine racks so that wine lovers with a taste for the exquisite can enjoy their wine the right way. A good wine rack must be able to hold the wine without dropping it or cracking it. It must preserve the wine for future consumption while allowing it to showcase its beauty and wrought iron is the perfect material for this important task.
This Post Was Written By: Robert Meckley, Robert is a blacksmith who uses traditional hand forging equipment with modern technology to craft the highest quality wrought iron products available. He lives and works in the Pigeon Hills in South Central Pennsylvania. Visit his website at www.pigeonhillforge.com