A Heavily Decorated Forged Fence (BP250)

BP250 is covered so densely with hand-made steel ornament that it seems to shimmer: arched lattice panels, scrolls and rosettes follow one another along the wall.

It is one of the richest fences we make, and it is even more impressive in person.

Ornament across the whole span

In BP250 the decoration does not stop at a crest or a border. Each panel is filled from post to post: a diamond lattice forms the background, arched tops frame it, and bronze-toned acanthus leaves, rosettes and scrolls are laid over the lattice in a symmetrical pattern. Because the ornament runs at the same density along the whole line, the fence reads as one continuous piece of decorative metalwork rather than a row of separate panels.

The photo shows the fence on a low wall beside a pavement, with a row of conifers behind it. Even at street level the lattice keeps the garden fairly private, while the gilded highlights catch the light and make the boundary look rich from a distance.

Why the decoration is part of the structure

On a fence this ornate, the leaves and scrolls are not glued or screwed on afterwards. They are forged, shaped and welded into the frame as the panel is built, so they stiffen it instead of hanging from it. That is what keeps long runs straight and stops individual elements from working loose after a few winters.

Each leaf is cut from sheet steel, heated and modelled with hammers and punches, which is why no two are exactly alike. Once galvanized and painted black, the panels receive their bronze or gold accents by hand.

Where a fence like BP250 works best

• along the front of a classical or palace-style house, where the fence is the first thing visitors see,
• on a low wall or a stone plinth, which lifts the ornament to eye level,
• together with a driveway gate and a pedestrian gate in the same pattern,
• on long frontages, where the repeating arches give the street a strong, even rhythm.

The height of the arches, the density of the lattice and the amount of gilding can all be adjusted. We can also make a calmer version with ornament only in the crown, if you like the style of BP250 but prefer a lighter look. If BP250 is close to what you want but not quite, the fence designs we have forged for other clients may hold the missing detail.