Hob grate 1750 - 1775

This hob grate was cast at the Carron Foundry, in Scotland, a company founded in 1759. At the time of its manufacture, the Carron Company was at the forefront of iron-founding technology, and this piece is an example of the high-quality, mass-produced domestic goods that were becoming increasingly available to the middle classes. Note the classical motifs, swags, and medallions with figures, which speak to the neoclassical tastes of the late 18th century, and the desire to emulate the lifestyles of the aristocracy. Cast iron was an important part of the Industrial Revolution, and the Carron Foundry was a major supplier to the British military, producing cannons and other armaments. To understand the significance of this object, we can consult a variety of sources, including the company's archives, design pattern books, and social histories of the period. These can give us insight into the social and economic context in which it was made, and the ways in which it was used and understood by its owners.