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The shadows cast by New Orleans ironwork add a romantic touch to the city. Wrought iron, which came first, was fashioned by hand into lovely shapes by German, Irish, and black artisans. Cast iron, on the other hand, was poured into wooden molds and allowed to set. As a result, the latter has a somewhat solid, fixed appearance, as opposed to wrought iron, which is handmade and has a a lot more fluid aspect. Examples of both kinds of function can be seen all through the city, particularly in the French Quarter and the Garden District.
Decorative iron balconies with exclusive designs and patterns are observed on quite a few galleries. They are admired as substantially at this time as they were in colonial times.
The Pontalba Buildings, commissioned by Baroness Pontalba, started the craze for ironwork. Completed in 1850, they transformed the profile of Jackson Square. Some of the patterns were designed by the Baroness's son.
The signature of New Orleans is Creole ironwork, which appears in many forms, including fences, gates, window grilles, balconies, hinges, doorknobs, and lanterns.
Wrought ironing contains a purer iron. Handmade and stronger than cast iron, it is really prevalent in the French Quarter.
Cast iron shaped in elaborate designs was generally employed in homes in the Garden District. It was superior to wood mainly because it withstood humidity.
Cornstalk Fences
There are two "cornstalk" fences in New Orleans, so-named since of their decorative motifs. One is at 915 Royal Street, the other at Colonel Short's Villa in the Garden District. Both feature cornstalks entwined with morning glories and ears of corn the former is painted in natural colors.
Ironwork details were added to quite a few buildings in the 1850s. Lacy balconies depicting oak leaf and acorn can be seen on the LaBranch Home at 700 Royal Street.
Ironwork Motifs
In the 1850s, Philadelphia iron-mongers Wood & Perot opened a branch office in New Orleans. Offering hundreds of patterns specially developed for the city, the business quickly grew, its motifs such as abstracts, acorns, fruits, cherubs, bacchants, vines, and animals.
These were soon noticed in railings throughout the city.
