The Northen French town of Arras was famed for producing distinctive wrought-iron garden furniture. Arras furniture is easily identified by its rounded, hollow-tube wrought iron, manufactured from tubes of iron split lengthways, being an innovative design allowing water to run off the furniture while providing a more comfortable, curved surface on which to sit. Each slat and support is hand-riveted to the frame, which is strong, and provides additional support.

Meeting the surge in demand from the wealthy French classes and the rise of public parks, the Arras foundries operated from around 1840, manufacturing outdoor seating, fencing, stalls for stables, plant stands and other decorative items. The foundries ceased production by the beginning of the First World War, when they most likely turned into munitions factories.

The Arras designers were not just searching for the most practical solutions but also for visual appeal, creating organic shapes with pleasing proportions. A unique feature of Arras furniture are the feet. Until the turn of the 20th Century Arras furniture featured a cast lion’s paw, in comparison to a more typical scroll or pad foot as seen on traditionally forged garden benches. After around 1900 the workshops replaced the lion’s paw with a horse’s hoof design, becoming synonymous with Arras garden production. Original Arras furniture is no longer made however, the workshops left a lasting legacy with their innovative designs, organic shapes, and visual appeal.

Inspired by these distinctive 19th century French originals, our Forged-Iron Garden Dining & Furniture Collection is handmade with a long life outdoors in mind. Handcrafted to order, each piece is zinc-galvanised to protect against rust, then primed and painted in our standard white or, for a small paint surcharge, to a colour of your choice.  For your own choice of colour, we would recommend Little Greene paint or any RAL colour.  Please allow approximately 8 weeks from order confirmation for delivery.