RARE SMALL COALBROOKDALE HORSE CHESTNUT GARDEN SEAT Description: Rare small cast iron garden seat in the Horse Chestnut pattern, the back pierced with scrolls of foliage and chestnuts flanked by conforming side rails, the plain slatted seat on splayed legs with hoof feet,. The bench is fully stamped with the name COALBROOKDALE CO., NO.217568, NO.46 and registration stamps for 23rd March 1868.  The Coalbrookdale Company founded by Abraham Darby in 1709 in Shropshire has long been universally acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the world in the production of iron castings in both garden ornament along with architectural elements.  In creating and producing its line of outdoor seating the firm employed many of the leading designers of the time including Christopher Dresser and Jonathan Bell. They produced a number of trend setting designs and were in fact so successful that many of their designs were later widely copied on both the continent and in the United States.  Existing English patent laws of the time were unfortunately, only able to provide limited protection for decorative designs for a period of three years only. As a result the firm registered the majority if not all its seating designs, stamping each piece with its model number and diamond shaped patent registration lozenge. Condition: Old repair noted to rear leg, and one small chestnut frond is missing.   Measurements: Width: 40" Price: $6,500 Phone: 312-738-9747 E-mail: finnegangallery@sbcglobal.net