The Curated Object

Exhibitions Albany. Cast With Style: 19th Century Cast-Iron Stoves. The Albany Institute of History and Art. The Curated Object

Dumb Stove Representing a Full-length Classical Female Figure
Alonzo Blanchard
1843
Albany, New York
Cast Iron; ht. 48 3/4"; w. 14 d.9
Rockwell Fund, 1992.8

George Washington Dumb Stove
Alonzo Blanchard
1843
Albany, New York
Cast Iron; ht. 48 3/4"; w.15 d.9
Rockwell Fund, 1992.7

Baker Stove Store
circa 1886, N.E Corner of Green St. and Norton St.
Photographer, Stephen Schreiber
Albany Institute of History & Art Library, S10B374

Two Column Parlor Stove
E.N. Pratt & Co/Albany
1837 - 1844
58" x 341/4" x 15 1/2"
Collection of John I. Mesick, Schodack, New York

CAST WITH STYLE: 19th Century Cast-Iron Stoves
January 26 - May 25, 2008   

This exhibition, drawn from the museum's well-known collection will include 30 stoves complemented by prints, drawings, photographs, stove catalogues, and advertising materials. During the nineteenth century Albany and Troy, New York manufacturers were considered to be among the largest producers of cast-iron stoves in the world. Stoves made in these two upstate New York cities were renowned for their fine-quality castings and innovations in technology and design. The strategic location of Albany and Troy, located nine miles apart on opposite banks of the Hudson River afforded easy and inexpensive transportation of raw materials to the foundries, and finished stoves to worldwide markets.

Cast-iron stove making reached its highest artistic advent of the cupola furnace permitted more elaborate designs and finer-quality castings. Stove designers borrowed freely from architectural and cabinet-makers design books, a process that resulted in the use of Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Rococo revival motifs; patriotic symbols, and Franklin, box, dumb, base-burner, parlor, cook stoves and ranges and parlor cook stoves. However, the stoves that attracted the most attention and helped to secure the reputation of stoves produced during the 1830's and 1840's. These stoves were a focal point for a Victorian parlor because the overall designs incorporated current tastes in architecture, furniture and other decorative arts.   

For more information please visit: The Albany Institute of History and Art
-Joanne Molina

Exhibitions Albany. HORSING AROUND: 19th Century Cast Iron Hitching Posts. The Albany Institute of History and Art. The Curated Object

Quinn and Nolan Ale Brewing Company
James McGregor
1902
watercolor on paper, ht. 24 in., 2. 37 3/4 in.
Albany Institute of History & Art, Gift of Marjorie Doyle (Mrs. Richard C.) Rockwell, 1965.43

Pointing Hand Hitching Postfrom the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino

World Globe Hitching Post from the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino

Horse Head Hitching Post from the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino

Horse Tail Hitching Post from the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino

Judge Van Aernum in His Sleigh (John Van Aernum [1807 - 1856)
Thomas Kirby Van Zandt (1814 - 1886)
1855
oil on canvas, ht. 24 in., w. 34 in., framed, ht. 27 3/4 in,. w. 37 1/2 in.
signed "Van Zandt Albany/Feb 1855"
Albany Institute of History & Art Purchase, 1946.26

Eagle's Head Hitching Post from the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino

Dog's Head Hitching Post from the collection of Phil and Bunny Savino

HORSING AROUND: 19th Century Cast Iron Hitching Posts
January 26 - May 25, 2008

The nineteenth century was the great age of horse-drawn transportation. Across the country in large cities and small communities, Americans were on the move in wagons, coaches, shays, sleighs, and alone on horseback. When not in motion, hitching posts and rails secured horses and helped maintain order. Their decorative shapes were commonly seen in front of houses and public buildings, standing firm despite the adverse effects of weather.

While hitching posts were made from various materials - wood, stone, metal - cast iron models displayed some of the most charming and creative designs. Cast iron was an easily manipulated material, similar to plastics in the twentieth century, and was sturdy and affordable. The ease with which molten iron could be cast into almost any form allowed iron foundries to offer hitching posts in a wide range of patterns that appealed to public tastes in the last half of nineteenth century. Horse heads, for example, alluded to the function and purpose of the posts, while eagles and flag-draped posts reflected the patriotic fervor that gripped Americans around the time of the Centennial in 1876.

Horsing Around: 19th Century Cast Iron Hitching Posts will be the first exhibition to survey and explore the cast iron hitching post in America, its history and use, production, and the wealth of designs cast by various foundries across the nation. The exhibition will include close to 70 hitching posts along with a small selection of patterns, trade catalogues, photographs, and other supporting material, as well as numerous paintings, drawing, prints, and photographs of horses from the Institute's collection. Most of the hitching posts come from one private collection, although a few select examples from other private and public collections will be used to highlight pattern carvers and artistic sources for hitching post designs.

An illustrated catalogue of 80 pages will accompany the exhibition and will include essays about hitching post designs, their marketing and consumption, and their place in the history of American transportation and travel. The publication will feature full-color photographs and catalogue entries for selected hitching posts.

For more information please visit: The Albany Institute of History and Art

-Joanne Molina