Industrial

Wrought Iron Sussex is based near Chichester, West Sussex.
Priding ourselves on a personal Design-Build-& Restoration Service.

*****With more than 25 years of experience in the metalwork industry, Matthew and his team specialize in restoring and maintaining period and historic metalwork, design and build projects, and general blacksmiths jobs large or small.**

We work for a wide range of clients, from architects and interior designers to private individuals.The nature of our work is equally diverse ranging from large scale restoration projects to gates and railings, smaller bespoke interior pieces, antique restoration and general metal works.
We find particular inspiration in the traditional construction and fixing methods that feature so strongly in the blacksmiths craft. Combining contemporary design and modern metal work practices with more traditional methods, allowing us to create a broad range of products.

A Brief History :-

In 1990 I moved to W.Sussex and started an apprenticeship at the Victorian Brass Bedstead Company, where my passion for metalwork developed further after studying craft design and technology in London.

Over the next 12 years I trained and worked in welding and fabrication, engineering, tool making, casting, blacksmithing, design and antique restoration.

I then went on to widen my knowledge extensively renovating, restoring and maintaining period and historic buildings and churches, specializing in the use of heritage materials.

Twenty five years after moving to Sussex I am still “playing” with metal and now mainly concentrate on metal restoration, design and build projects of all kinds, large or small.

I particularly enjoy working with my clients to achieve the best design for their needs, location and budget and to produce one off designs of interest and quality.

Some of my clients have included :-

The Bishops palace, Chichester. The Dean and Chapter of Chichester Cathedral, Dame Judy Dench, Brian Adams, Paulo Gucci as well as many local churches, architects, builders, antique dealers, interior designers, local artists and private clients.

My style of metalwork has one foot in the past with a strong passion for the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements combined with the symmetry, simplicity and practicality of modern design.

I work in all metals and use traditional techniques and heritage products wherever possible along with modern processes where necessary and combining the two where applicable.

Here are some examples from my portfolio:-

Exquisite Architectural Metalwork

Creating fine architectural metalwork for some of the most prestigious properties in the world demands the finest craftsmanship executed with the best-equipped workshops in the UK. Our mission is to exceed customer expectations in everything we do through our knowledge, creativity and passion.

As leading authorities in the craft of blacksmithing we push the boundaries of innovation and we thrive on demanding creative and technical challenges. Retaining some of the most traditional skills and techniques we continue to develop and apply them to both traditional and contemporary environments. Our specialist division, ‘The Real Wrought Iron Company’, is the only supplier of genuine wrought iron in the world.

See our website for full details and gallery of previous work done.

Adam Varley….Born London 1969. Served a blacksmithing apprenticeship and then as a journey man working throughout the UK with many notable artist blacksmiths. Adam founded Ferro Design with designer Beau McClellan in 1994 forging many sculptural and architectural works in Portugal including large artistic installations. He also has had experience with production, working on events and film sets, also lighting, pyrotechnics and computer design. Most recently he has settled in La Creuse, France to set up his own workshop.

Master Blacksmith Steve Miller FWCB has over 40 years experience producing all types of metalwork from traditional forge work to bespoke contemporary designs. Combining a traditional forge with a well equipped fabrication workshop , the company is able to undertake larger scale projects including all types of exterior and interior metalwork as well as grand stair balustrades.
Also able to carry out sensitive restoration and repairs, and give advice on period matching .
Services include survey, design and installation.
The company has a large portfolio of previous work for reference, but is also able to produce unique bespoke designs specific to a clients wishes.

Using traditional blacksmithing and modern welding techniques I make bespoke metal sculptures, furniture , metal hardware and other metal artwork.

Brian Russell , the master blacksmith at Little Newsham , established his business in 1976 in a 250 year old forge in Teesdale in the north east of England after studying art and design for four years.His work is varied like most most blacksmiths, but he has built up a reputation as a skilled exponent of design and forging skills whether the work be traditional or contemporary. Many journeymen ,(and women), have worked at Little Newsham over the years and have contributed greatly to the body of work that has been produced.
Calalogue components are never used in the work produced here, indeed Brian regards them with some disgust,and takes great satisfaction from designing his work around the forging process and producing every element in his well equipped workshop.

Donkeywell Forge is a traditional blacksmiths forge on the outskirts of Cirencester, Gloucestershire. We produce traditional and contemporary ironwork working with all forms of metal including true wrought iron, mild steel, bronze, copper, stainless steel and corten. We have traditional coke fired forges along with large gas powered forges and power hammer facilities which allows us to specialise in the use and principles of heritage materials and styles including fire welding. This all sits alongside modern workshop facilities and machinery. We hope the pictures of the work on our website say more about us than pages of text as we would rather be making than writing about it! If you would like to talk to us regarding any future projects please do not hesitate to get in touch.