Hall Stand
c. 1870
Medium
Cast iron and marble
Dimensions
231.8 × 111.8 × 52.8 cm (91 1/4 × 44 × 20 3/4 in.)
Classification
ironwork
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
209921
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The nineteenth century was a period of vast industrial developments, one of which was increased efficiency in cast-iron production. As cast iron proliferated into many aspects of architecture and applied arts, design critics renounced the material as vulgar and deceitful. In an effort to beautify cast-iron products, smelting manufactories hired professional designers, like Christopher Dresser, with visually stimulating results. In this hall stand, which was part of a larger series, Dresser combi...
About the Artist
Christopher Dresser · 1834–1904
Christopher Dresser (1834–1904) was one of the most innovative and prolific designers of the nineteenth century, widely regarded as a pioneer of industrial design long before that discipline had a name. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he trained at the Government School of Design in London, where he studied under leading educators committed to improving the quality of British manufactured goods. He wen...