An authentic wrought iron garden table from Arras in Northern France. The table has the original trademark cast iron lions paw feet and is a period model. The Arras iron foundry first emerged around 1840 when one of three companies manufacturing metal products in the town of Arras, Grassin-Baledans, began to specialise in garden furniture and started producing artistic ironwork.

With welding not used at the time, all authentic Arras pieces are entirely hand forged and riveted, using metal tubing and flat metal. Arras pieces were considered incredibly fashionable and they adorned parks and public spaces throughout France during the late 19th and early 20th century.

The furniture was intended for the high-end market at a time when the privileged classes were discovering the benefits of outdoor living, and the pieces, which later included all types of garden accessories, were made to the highest quality and durability. Collectors wishing to date a piece of Arras must look at the feet. Pre 1900 models were embellished with lion paws, but after 1900 this changed to horse hooves, principally to reduce production costs.

Now, 100 years after the factory at St. Sauveur-lez-Arras closed down, Arras furniture is very sort after and the pieces have become collector’s items.