Art, obsession, and identity
Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths and fire in ancient Greek mythology, is also referred to as "the celestial artificer." He is traditionally linked with sculptors, carpenters, and metalworkers. Hephaestus' Roman counterpart is Vulcan.
Blacksmiths have a long history, dating back to 1000 BCE, when iron replaced bronze as the preferred material for weapons and tools.
The Romans had a strong preference for using high-quality steel in their weapons. Iron and steel were widely used for construction, tools, and weaponry. The picture shows a blacksmith from the 1st century working in Este, Padova province, Italy.
During the Middle Ages, blacksmithing and metallurgy were regarded as two of the seven mechanical arts, which were classified as ordered practices or skills in medieval times.
This 1317 manuscript illustration depicts a baker, a blacksmith, and a man with a donkey. It is a part of a work on the life of Saint Denis (died circa 258 CE).
Blacksmiths were highly valued for their expertise and craftsmanship. Before the Industrial Revolution, they were responsible for creating the majority of iron and steel objects by hand. Along with horseshoes, blacksmiths crafted various items such as bolts, nails, screws, hammers, fasteners, axes, and a range of tools. They also manufactured rims for carriages and carts. Their skills were indispensable in supplying essential goods to the world.
The skill of blacksmiths was highly valued in crafting personal armor. This Italian piece dates back to approximately 1400-1450.
In the late 14th century, the bascinet, a military helmet used in medieval Europe, emerged. It's believed that this helmet, possibly French and dating from circa 1375-1425, may have been worn by Joan of Arc during battle.
Field armor was popular among armies and knights. The pictured armor, commissioned by Habsburg emperor Maximilian I around 1510, was made by renowned Augsburg armorer Lorenz Helmschmied (1450-1515). Known for his skillful metalworking and technologically advanced designs, Helmschmied was considered one of the best armorers of the 15th and early 16th centuries. He served at the courts of Habsburg, Mantua, and Urbino from 1467 until his death in 1515.
A knight relied heavily on his horse for both offense and defense. Consequently, he had to ensure the safety of his charger. In Europe, plate armor, which fully covered the wearer, reached its zenith during the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
Medieval fighters relied on both their weapons and personal armor. This finely crafted rapier from 1490 would have been made by a skilled bladesmith, who used metalworking techniques akin to those used by blacksmiths.
This Persian shield from the late 18th century, also known as a sipar, served both as a defensive tool and a showcase of blacksmith craftsmanship. Made of iron, steel, gold, and velvet, it features intricate Arabic calligraphy designs.
The silver-gilt staff head from 1659 belonged to the London-based Blacksmiths' Company. The staff head design showcases a crown with a phoenix emerging from the flames, representing the company's crest. Crafted in the shape of a hammer, the staff head is also engraved with the company's motto: "By Hammer and Hand All Arts Do Stand."
Charcoal served as the first fuel used for forge fires until coal replaced it in Britain and Europe in the late 17th century, and in the United States during the 19th century.
Before the Industrial Revolution, forges were commonly seen in nearly every town in England and beyond. It was often called the "village smithy."
A blacksmith had a wide variety of tools at his disposal, such as an anvil, a vice, hammers, and tongs. Their expertise and significant contribution to daily life made blacksmiths highly esteemed within their community.
A farrier, someone who takes care of horse hooves, played a vital role in the time before cars were common, particularly in the Old West of the United States. In a photograph from 1885 in Susanville, California, a farrier is shown shoeing a horse. Standing close by are a blacksmith and a wheelwright, also equipped with their trade tools.
In addition to shoeing, a blacksmith possessed the skill to craft a wide range of tools, household items, kitchen utensils, weapons, and armor.
The candelabra, originally seen in the medieval era, eventually transformed into the chandelier. These lighting fixtures were typically crafted by skilled goldsmiths or silversmiths, resulting in intricate and decorative designs. However, for those with less financial means, a simpler candlestick would have to do. In a time when gaslight and electricity had not yet been invented, candlesticks were a common household item that was often made by blacksmiths. Featured here is an 18th-century candlestick along with a rush light holder, which functioned as a miniature torch.
Blacksmiths were skilled at crafting cauldrons, which were large pots used for boiling or cooking on an open fire. These versatile objects were widely used in households and also had industrial applications in food production.
In developing countries, the blacksmith has always held a prestigious position for his valuable skills. The local community heavily depended on his craftsmanship for creating weapons, cooking tools, horseshoes, and livestock equipment, as well as his expertise in repairing or replacing essential gear.
There is historical evidence dating back 800 years which shows that female blacksmiths have always existed.
During the Industrial Revolution, Europe and the United States witnessed a shift towards advanced manufacturing techniques, replacing traditional hand production with machines. This transformation led to a decrease in demand for blacksmithing products, causing blacksmiths to mainly focus on farrier work. The military, however, still required the expertise of countless blacksmiths to shoe their extensive horse population.
Blacksmithing experienced a decline during the 20th century, yet the First World War brought about a shift. Women were tasked with operating forges and assuming roles typically reserved for men. Illustrating this change is a photograph, taken in 1917, depicting a female blacksmith at the Kensington War Hospital supply depot in London.
In the midst of the Second World War, Jan Liwacz, a skilled blacksmith from Poland, found himself confined within the Auschwitz concentration camp. Due to his expertise in metalworking, the SS tasked him with creating the now notorious slogan, "Arbeit macht frei" (meaning "work will make you free"), which adorned the entrance gate of the camp. This image depicts the departure of Auschwitz survivors in February 1945.
Take a careful look at the sign. There is something unusual about the letter 'B.' Liwacz, in a courageous yet understated manner, intentionally inverted the 'B' in arbeit as an act of defiance. He was well aware that this would infuriate the meticulous Nazis. Remarkably, Liwacz managed to survive the war and lived until 1980. The original sign is currently kept in storage at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. The one you see at present is a reproduction that has been placed on the gate.
During the process of industrialization, particularly in the Western world, the demand for blacksmiths gradually decreased and their profession was considered outdated for much of the 20th century. This photograph from 1955 showcases a blacksmith adapting to modern times by transforming into a mobile smithy and utilizing a motorbike as a portable forge.
Blacksmithing has evolved into a distinct community of artists who have honed their specialized skills. Renowned blacksmiths such as Philip Simmons (1912–2009) have gained recognition for their exceptional craftsmanship in ornamental ironwork. In 1982, this talented artisan from South Carolina was honored with the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, the most prestigious award for traditional artists in the United States.
And in the 21st century there are still those who excel in the art of blacksmithing and create unique pieces for practical as well as for decorative purposes.
Sources: (Greek Mythology) (Blacksmith University) (Materials and Manufacturing Processes) (The Cambridge History of Science) (Working the Flame) (Oldfield Forge) (DiscoverCracow)
See also: Bizarre jobs that no longer exist
The reality competition show 'Forged in Fire' on the History channel has drawn a significant amount of attention to the art of bladesmithing and metalsmithing in general. Bladesmiths use similar metalworking techniques to those employed by blacksmiths, who have been honing their craft for centuries. Blacksmithing, also referred to as metalsmithing, involves the creation of items using various metals. The term "black" in blacksmith refers to iron, which turns black when heated and exposed to oxygen. The origin of the term "smith" is uncertain, but it is believed to stem from the Old English word "smythe," meaning "to strike." Although blacksmithing declined during the industrial era, it has not entirely vanished.
Click through and get fired up with this brief timeline that forges the history of the blacksmith.
Ever wondered about the long-lost art of the blacksmith?
This traditional trade and artform is still practiced by a small community
LIFESTYLE History
The reality competition show 'Forged in Fire' on the History Channel has drawn a significant amount of attention to the art of bladesmithing and metalsmithing in general. Bladesmiths use similar metalworking techniques to those employed by blacksmiths, who have been honing their craft for centuries. Blacksmithing, also referred to as metalsmithing, involves the creation of items using various metals. The term "black" in blacksmith refers to iron, which turns black when heated and exposed to oxygen. The origin of the term "smith" is uncertain, but it is believed to stem from the Old English word "smythe," meaning "to strike."
Click through and prepare to be fired up by this timeline that forges the history of the blacksmith.