Italian
Grill and Gate, 15th century
Iron, 348.9 x 357 cm (137 3/8 x 140 9/16 in.)
This Italian iron decorative grill and gate bisects the third floor hall at the far end of the stairwell. A narrow iron frame tops the grill and gate and outlines the top and bottom of the gate and sections of the grill above the stairwell. A series of fine iron loops and spikes of varying height arise from the top of the frame with an upward projection near the center formed from multiple levels of curved, lateral leaf-like appendages terminating in a thin Greek cross. The grill and gate proper are composed of an open lattice matrix made from elongated s-shaped curves, each adjacent iron curve reversing orientation thus forming right side up and upside down heart-shaped centers from the long expanse of the s-shape curve. Graceful, open diamond-shapes are formed at the points of intersection of the two upper and two lower rounded portions of the s-shaped iron pieces. Each iron curve is attached to the adjacent curves or the frame by small iron loops. The overall appearance is of a light, delicate work of art in iron.
Iron, 348.9 x 357 cm (137 3/8 x 140 9/16 in.)