Art Nouveau ironwork ornaments

This is quite an extensive example, for Bucharest, of Art Nouveau ironwork, in a city where the Art Nouveau details are frequently of  modest dimensions and usually part of larger structures expressed mainly in Little Paris or Beaux Arts styles. The building in this instance, located in the Dorobanti area, displays a series of other Art Nouveau features, such as on its main doorway (not visible here), window opening decorations or columns. However, the ironwork is the most remarkable among them and of a good quality design, pleasing to the eye. The entrance awning rests on two “free flowing” long leaf motif corbels, while the attractive stairs balustrade displays abstract motifs recycled from traditional Japanese drawings, a main source of inspiration for this style. As everywhere in Bucharest, there are aggressive renovations and modern “improvements”, like the white plastic frame double glazing and the air conditioning unit, which obliterated original architectural elements, damaging the visual value of this building.

Art Nouveau ironwork ornaments, 1900s house, Dorobanti area, Bucharest (©Valentin Mandache)
Art Nouveau ironwork ornaments, 1900s, house, Dorobanti area, Bucharest (©Valentin Mandache)
Art Nouveau ironwork ornaments, 1900s house, Dorobanti area, Bucharest (©Valentin Mandache)
Art Nouveau ironwork ornaments, 1900s house, Dorobanti area, Bucharest (©Valentin Mandache)

3 thoughts on “Art Nouveau ironwork ornaments

    • Yes, sad, but all down to a lack of education, “hats off” to Valentin!! who through his excellent website is succeeding in bringing more awareness of some of the wonderful buildings, ironwork, etc, that still survive here in Romania.
      So hopefully in the future, some people will give more thought about where to place their air-conditioner units 🙂
      Those awning supports are fabulous! and I imagine, quite rare anywhere.

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      • Thank you Moray for your nice words about my work! Lets hope that we can spread the word even more about the plight of Romania’s architectural heritage. Valentin

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