Holy cow! These antique handmade industrial foundry patterns are simply fabulous! This listing is for a varied set of six patterns of different sizes and purpose. We have priced them for the set. They make the most fabulous wall collage. Or are simply wonderful setting on a mantel or shelf.
These patterns came from Western Foundry of Topeka, Kansas. They were founded in 1876 by Roswell L. Cofran, Sr., a civil war veteran and future Topeka mayor. While running the business, he served as mayor for three terms 1885-1887, 1889-1893, and 1913-1915. Western Foundry operated in Topeka for 124 years under three Roswell L. Cofrans; Sr., Jr., and III.
The patterns were hand carved in the mid to late 1800s. They were created for cities all over the world. The carved pattern would be used to create the sand cast mold in which the molten iron would be poured to make the grate or whatever item for which the pattern was made.
My husband and I purchased these patterns from Western Foundry’s Going Out of Business auction many, many years ago and they’ve been in storage since. The buildings where these patterns were stored were amazing. There were two built specifically for this purpose totaling at least 120 feet in length. And, the patterns were filed according to project and placed very neatly on shelves lining both sides of the long narrow structures. I wish I would have had the forethought to note what project each of these was for as we were loading them. What history they hold! Now we get to offer these marvelous pieces to you. Make this set yours. Or, if these don’t meet your needs look at all our others listed here as well. Or, contact us. We couldn’t begin to list them all.
