Forged in Fire: Ten objects from the forges of Oxfordshire at The Oxfordshire Museum

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Ten objects from Forged in Fire: The Oxfordshire Museum exhibition revealing the county’s industrial heritage and metalworking tradition
Anvil and block (19th/20th century). Iron and wood

The essential, iconic tool of the blacksmith. The square hole can be used for bending, or a swage can be fitted.


Flintlock Pistol (19th century). Iron barrel and flint-lock mechanism, copper alloy, butt, trigger and barrel brace, wooden stock

The first flintlock mechanisms appeared in the 17th century and became the standard mechanism for guns until the development of percussion caps during the 19th century. High quality barrels were essential to withstand the pressures produced when firing a bullet without splitting. This smooth-bore iron barrel has no rifling, and a brass barrel brace to give it added strength.


Small sword (1770-1789). Woodstock steel

Small swords were used for fighting and were a standard part of many military uniforms, although examples such as this are of a more gentlemanly style and as much a fashion statement as a form of self-defence. This Woodstock steel make features a highly ornate and polished series of steel studs linked together. Although similar decorative steel objects were made elsewhere, such as in Matthew Boulton’s Soho factory, Woodstock had a reputation for producing the finest quality.


Toy pedal car (20th century). Steel

Made by disabled ex-miners employed at the government funded, not-for-profit Austin Junior Car Factory in Bargoed, south Wales, cars like this were used on merry-go-rounds, to teach road safety and as toys, and exported throughout the world. Made out of the scrap metal from the Austin factory at Longbridge, this model, the J40, was based on the Austin A40. This one was delivered to Hartwells Garage on Park End Street, Oxford, in February 1966, where it was displayed in the showroom, and used by visiting children. More than 30,000 similar cars were built at the factory between 1949 and 1971.

Model magician (1920-1930). Iron magnet and textile

This magician from a fairground set is made from a horse-shoe magnet. What purpose this served is unknown, but it may have enabled him to perform side-show tricks.


Cutteslowe spikes 20th Century (1934-1959). Aluminium

These spikes adorned the top of the wall built by Clive Saxton’s Urban Housing Company in 1934 to keep council estate residents out of the more middle class developments of north Oxford. The walls were demolished and rebuilt several times before finally coming down for good in 1959, including on one occasion during the second world war by a tank which was lost and decided to take a short-cut.

Seal of Wymond de Brandon (13th century). Silver

The personal seal of Wymond de Brandon is deeply inscribed with his name and image, enabling it to produce a clear, positive impression and give an official and authoritative appearance to documents when sealed with wax. Wymond was one of the first of Oxfordshire’s administrative middle classes, employed as the clerk and attorney to the Abbot of Prieux, whose abbey owned land at Aston Tirrold.


Medieval figurine. Bronze and enamel

A copper alloy cast figure, a saint. There are traces of red, blue and possibly white enamel on the body and the eyes are inlaid with opaque blue glass beads. The halo is made from a thick sheet of metal that has then been riveted to the back of the head. Fragments of gilding survive on the halo, hair and face.


Seal of Wymond de Brandon (13th century). Silver

This censer was used for the burning of incense as part of religious worship in the Catholic Apostolic Church in Eynsham. The Catholic Apostolic Church was founded during the 1830s in Scotland and followed dissenter principles, believing in the power of prayer and ‘utterances’ - speaking in tongues. The principles spread quickly, the church in Eynsham initially attracting a local congregation after being established in 1832. As the church developed in the early 20th century, the congregation consisted of people from further afield, such as Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire. The church finally closed in 1982.


Clog (19th century). Wood and leather, with copper alloy and iron fittings

This child’s clog has brass tacks around the rand to fasten the leather to the wooden sole and hard-wearing iron horse-shoe style fittings nailed to the sole. Originally produced as cheap footwear for labourers, clogs have also been used as safety-shoes for industry and developed their own style of dance.

• Forged in Fire runs until July 5 2015 at The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock. Find out more about their Museums at Night 2015 event, Heavy Metal - Museum style.
  

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Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/transport-and-industry/art526682-forged-in-fire-ten-objects-from-the-forges-of-oxfordhsire-at-oxfordhsire-museum