18th-Century French Oak & Wrought Iron Door Fragment

A fragment of an 18th-century French door, constructed from heavy timber boards and an extraordinary grid of hand-worked iron straps, fixed with rows of rivets and washers. Another surviving section of the original door was inscribed with the date 1762.

Doors of this type were built for strength and security, typically used on substantial rural buildings, estates, cellars and storerooms. The ironwork wasn't decoration so much as a fairly determined attempt to keep whatever was outside, outside.

More than two and a half centuries later, the timber has faded almost to grey, the iron has rusted deeply and the broken edges have left the whole thing looking suspiciously like a piece of abstract sculpture.

It wasn't meant to be art. It just took 264 years to get there.

Due to the size and weight, this item cannot be shipped through the website: Opto Special Delivery for details.

Condition: Excellent - normal wear for age

Size: W 34.5cm × L 75cm × D 2.75cm