Rococo Balustrade with Acanthus (BA51)

BA51 is covered with hand-forged acanthus leaves in gold, one of the most difficult details a blacksmith can make. They curl along the rail like living foliage.

It suits rich interiors and any place where the owner wants to raise the sense of prestige.

Choosing the right railing

Choosing the right pattern matters as much as flawless execution. We help with both; see our indoor stair railings for other styles.

Rococo leaves that seem to grow

The soft curves and richly modelled acanthus leaves give BA51 an unmistakably rococo character. The ornament unfolds freely along the stair, buds and volutes sprouting from the main stems, and the golden finish brings out the depth of the hand modelling. Despite the amount of detail, the railing feels light because the leaves are open and the background stays clear.

How an acanthus leaf is forged

Each leaf starts as a flat piece of steel. It is heated and spread with the hammer, the lobes are cut and curled, and the veins are chased in with punches before the leaf is bent into shape and welded to its stem. Every leaf is therefore slightly different, which is exactly what gives the railing the look of living foliage rather than a moulded copy.

A gently profiled handrail leads the eye up the stair and calms the composition. BA51 suits classical interiors where architectural detail plays a major part, such as halls with mouldings, columns and marble floors.