For the first time, information about artistic forging is found in materials dating back to the seventh century, at this time in Russia the craftsmen, in order to shape the metal, wielded their hammers. Initially, forged products were created for practical purposes - the functionality of the object was at the core, and then no one thought about the beauty of the things being created. That is, the first forged products were weapons and land-working tools, decorations were rare.
Only in the 9th-12th centuries did people consider beauty and skill in forging, and not simplicity and functionality, as before. Now in Pskov, Kiev and Novgorod they began to decorate cathedrals, monasteries and churches with forging elements. They were expressed in the form of doors, fences and bars. This was the beginning of the development of such creativity as artistic forging.
With the advent of the Gothic style, it happened in Russia in the XII century, forging began to lose its defensive function, people fell more and more in love with the beauty of forged products. The fact is that with the advent of the Gothic, ornaments, mainly with a natural theme, became widespread. Flowers, grape leaves, laurel, cruciferous flowers, etc. were found everywhere in forged products.
Churches, temples and cathedrals still delight with their flowery ornaments in forged elements. But Russian blacksmiths are more subtle and soulful, therefore the Gothic-Russian forging has a peculiar character. An excellent example of such Gothic is the Vysoko-Petrovsky Monastery on Petrovka.
The 17th century is considered the century of forged fences. At this time, many parks were created in Russia, which were protected and decorated with fences, and fences were also erected near palaces and other noble houses. It was during this period that blacksmiths show all their individuality, creativity, skills and knowledge.
The 19th century brought new technologies to all industries, and artistic forging is no exception. The rental method is increasingly used when creating fences and gates. This simplified the process, and the lines became clearer and more even, so the classic style began to emerge.
Already at the beginning of the 20th century, it became possible to learn forging not only in the forge, now there are educational institutions that teach boys blacksmithing skills. And in the 70th year of the twentieth century, a school that prepares blacksmiths for art forging was opened in Suzdal, later such a department appeared in educational institutions of folk professions. And soon a Museum dedicated to blacksmithing technology and science was opened in Saltykovka, the archives of the museum's library contain unique secrets of forging from different times.
Ordering art forging will be appropriate today and at any other time, because art has accompanied us every day for many centuries.
