“During the Medieval Period, blacksmithing was considered part of the set of seven mechanical arts and was a staple of every town.”
Mankind has utilized objects found from the very depths of the earth to the crowning crust. Great stones were arranged to create the magnificent Stonehenge, which baffles architects today. Metals have been wrought into the form of swords like the legendary Excalibur from the humble origins of forging iron by the Hittites in 15th century BC (History). The art of working with metal and stone is an ancient practice, from the masterful work of the blacksmith, to the delicate craftsmanship of the Celts. Even the creation of illuminated manuscripts involved, to some extent, the art of metalwork.
Although men have worked with metal in a variety of ways, from casting, to engraving, to stamping, the art of a blacksmith is quite probably the most well known of the ancient arts. Although it is nigh obsolete in the face of modern technology, smithing is still practiced today in forges. In some of the earlier days of blacksmithing, truly great swords “were thought to have magical or spiritual powers,” due to the ignorance surrounding consistent skill at the time (History). The craft was only beginning and the weapons often were either “too soft to hold a sharp edge or it became extremely hard but brittle,” in the majority of cases (History). Eventually, however, blacksmithing turned into a true, skill-based craft and one of the essentials of medieval times.
Despite developing further in the “Dark Ages,” the art of smithy work was honed in the Middle Ages, when knowledge was accrued. Alongside crafting weapons and armor, as they are so well known for today, blacksmiths would be occupied with “making various tools” and “household objects” (History). Their trade was versatile and valued. In this time, the four simple, staple stages of smithing were formed; the blacksmithing process followed this pattern: heating, holding, hitting, and shaping. Each part of the process is exactly what it sounds like: heating the piece involves the forge’s fire, which often heats the metal to a temperature of “760°C;” holding, hitting, and shaping are intrinsically intertwined, as one would hold the hot metal while striking it in order to shape it into the desired form (Blacksmithing). Although at one point in time this grand craft was essential to daily life, it gradually became obsolete.
Thankfully, although it is out of date as a trade, it has transformed into a type of fine art. As explained by The Art Career Project, “When a creative yet pragmatic skill becomes functionally obsolete, it enters the realm of fine art,” which has happened to blacksmithing, along with other crafts such as pottery (Staff). The craft is growing increasingly popular, although its practicality is greatly diminished, and the once-dying art continues in its historic tradition.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the clay magazine. I regret to both break the fourth wall and to inform you, best beloved, that this shall be my final article with this e-magazine. I have sincerely enjoyed my time writing for clay, but all good things must come to an end. This is the final article that I shall write for the final year of clay. This publication has offered a voice for students of The Potter’s School for years and now is the time for it to cease. Fare thee well, until we meet again.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Works Cited
“Blacksmithing Basics.” Oldfield Forge, 28 May 2020, https://www.oldfieldforge.co.uk/blacksmithing-basics/.
“Faith & Worship.” Celtic Blessings and Prayers, Old and New, 2016, https://www.faithandworship.com/Celtic_Blessings_and_Prayers.htm#gsc.tab=0.
“History of Blacksmithing.” Oldfield Forge, 28 May 2020, https://www.oldfieldforge.co.uk/history-of-blacksmithing/#:~:text=Blacksmithing%20origins%20first%20trace%20back,understanding%20of%20basic%20iron%20work.
Staff, The Art Career Project. “Blacksmith.” The Art Career Project, 18 Jan. 2022, https://theartcareerproject.com/careers/blacksmith/.