Thomas Hadden: Architectural Metalworker Elizabeth F Wright*
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Proc Soc Anliq Scot, 121 (1991). 427-435 Thomas Hadden: architectural metalworker Elizabeth F Wright* ABSTRACT The paper presents a brief history of the ironworking firm of Thomas Hadden of Edinburgh, in operation from the late 19th century until 1975. In 198d 1987 an e 6Nationa th , l Museum f Scotlano s d acquire da larg e collectiof o n wrought-iron work, photographs and ledgers dating from approximately 1890 to 1960, relating ironworkine th o t g fir f Thomamo s Hadde f Edinburgho n . This acquisition, fro r RobermM t Hadden, nephe firm'e th f wo s founder importans wa mai,o tw nr reasonstfo . First t providei , d a significant additio smala o nt l grou f materiapo Hadden'y lb s alread ye Nationa helth y db l Museums. Secondly e archivath , l material, supplemente y informatiodb n provider M y db Hadden, illustrated the development of a firm which was at the forefront of wrought-iron workin Scotlann gi d fro e latmth e 19th century unti closurs it l 1975n ei . This paper drawn so this archive to present a brief history of the company, which worked for and with many of the leading architects and designers of the first half of the 20th century. The firm was established in Edinburgh at a time of renewed interest in the skills of the decorative wrought-iron worker. The revival of the wrought-metal trade, which had suffered in the 19th century from the mass introduction of cheaper cast iron, was the result of an increasing interest in the preservation and revitalization of traditional Scottish styles and skills, particularl relation yi architectureo nt . Thomas Hadde s bor n wa Hamiltoni nn , Lanarkshire n 1871 i e , camH . e froma metal-working family and his father, grandfather and uncle all worked with iron in and around Haddington, East Lothian. Thomas trained initially at Howgate, near Edinburgh, and on the completion of his apprenticeship worked in Edinburgh for James Milne & Sons. In 1901, after a short period in London, he decided to set up in business in East Silvermills Lane, Edinburgh, in partnership wit s brothehi h r Robert a woodcarver, . Fro s earliesmit t days e firth ,m specialize decorativn di e smithwork, principally, thoug t exclusivelyhno collaboration i , n with one of the leading exponents of the movement to revitalize Scottish vernacular traditions, Robert Lorimer. In his book on the work of Robert Lorimer, written shortly after the architect's death in 1929, Christopher Hussey states that Thomas Hadden consulted Lorimer before settinn i p gu business and that he was advised against the move (Hussey 1931,108). Indeed, Robert Hadden recalle uncls dhi e tellin tham gthi Lorime remarked rha d that 'he might hav breas butteed hi dan r bu woule it.th n o ' Despitdm havja o en e this less than encouraging advice, Hadden proceeded dan eventually worked with Lorime architect'e n mano rth f yo s best-known projects. Royal Museum of Scotland. Queen Street, Edinburgh 428 SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND. 1991 ILLU 1 SHadden' s workshop showin e smithgth s workin Thistle th n go e Chapel gate sc 191 0 (Copyright National Museum f Scotlando s ) Examples of this fruitful collaboration are to be found across Scotland, in houses such as Ardkinglass in Argyll and Marchmont in Berwickshire. Perhaps the most outstanding commissions undertaken by the firm under Lorimer's direction, however, were the wrought- iron screens in the Thistle Chapel in the High Kirk of St Giles in Edinburgh, completed in wrought-iroe th 1911 d an , n gate steed san l caskeshrine Scottise th th n f i teo h Nationar Wa l Memoria Edinburgn i l h Castle, complete 1927n di . e ThistlTh e Chape le resula projecbequesth f s o t Lory wa tb t d Leve Melville& n . Initially intendes wa t i , restoro dt Royae eth l Chape t Holyroodhousa l meetina s ea g placr efo Ordee Thistlee th th f o r . However trusteee th , s decided agains proposae originae th t th d an ll bequest reverted to the Leven estate. A new scheme was initiated, involving the addition of a chape t GilesS o t l . This suggestion receive e suppor e youndth th f go t Lords Levehi d an n brothers and was duly accepted by the Kirk Session, and in 1909 Robert Lorimer was appointe architecte th s da . Essentially chapeprovide o t th ,s wa l permanenea t meeting place, where investitures into the Order could take place and where the Knights' banners could be hung. Lorimer's e chapedesig th s base r wa n fo lmedieva o d l themess realizatioit d an , n brought togethe skille varieta th r f so f Scottisyo h craftsme ClowA & n ,suc W carver s ha f so e choith r stalls, Douglas Stracha d Louian n s Davies, stained-glass makers d Thomaan , s Hadden. The gates and screens which were constructed for the entrance into the chapel mirror overale th l Gothic style. High pointed arches rise fro m'portcullisa whole th f irod s o 'ei nan surmounte arcn a hy d b containin gprofusioa f flowersno , probably wild roses, with berried san robins. Hadden's also produce metae dth l 'medieval helms' which surmoun Knightse th t ' Stalls WRIGI1T: THOMAS MADDEN: ARCHITECTURAL METALWORKER 429 ILLU 2 S Steel Casket, Scottish Nationa r MemorialWa l . Edinburgh Castle c 192, 6 (Copyright National Museum f Scotlandso ) e completio(illuTh . chapee 1) s th f n191o n i lt onl 1no y established Robertf Lorimeo e on s a r the foremost architects in Scotland but resulted also in the conference of a knighthood in recognitio works hi f no . The proposal for a Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh was considered as early as 1917, when it was agreed, after rejecting sites at both Chambers Street and at Gallon Hill, late becomo t r t Andrew'eS s House, thae onlth t y suitabl e Castleth location eo s nwa Rock itself t withoue schemno Th . s problems eit wa tRoberr Si d tsan Lorimerbeed ha no wh , appointed architect, eventually submitted three separate proposals before the final outline was accepte d wordan k started. Whe e Memorianth s finallwa l y complete s widel1927n di wa t i ,y praised. The centre-piece is a steel casket containing rolls of honour inscribed with the names of all the Scottish servicemen who died in the First World War. The casket was executed by Thomas Hadden, while the detailed figures of the angels bearing shields and St Margaret and St Andrew were modelle Alicy db e Meredith Williams correspondencn (illuI . 2) s e citey db Christopher Hussey, Lorimer illustrate e greath s t attention e constructiotaketh n ni e th f no casket: Altogethe I musr t hav visit0 e3 madr Hadden'o st o 0 e2 s worksho trias errod wa allan l ln p i t al rI . the time, but the result is that I think you get a thing that looks 'smith made' in the end. Of course you can only work in this way with men you have worked with for years (Hussey 1931, 108). Sir Robert Lorimer's death, som yearo etw s afte completioe th r Scottise th f no h Nationar Wa l Memorial project d thi, en broughs fruitfun a o t t l collaboration a partnershi, p whicd ha h spanned nearl years0 y3 . 430 I SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND, 1991 ILLU 3 S Railing t Carlisla s e Cathedral, showing Traquair' lily, c 1930 (Copyright National Museums of Scotland) Although Hadden's skill craftsmaa s sa n undeniably benefited fro werd man e encouraged associatios byhi n with Lorimer e alsh , o worked extensively with other architect clientd san s who were attracted to the firm by its workmanship and continuing development of traditional Scottish forms (illus 3). 1910n I , Hadden's exhibite Arte th Craft s& n d i s Society Exhibitio Londonn ni , receiving a favourable reception. A newspaper cutting in the Hadden papers, unfortunately unascribed, illustrate e pointth s : Three exhibit Thomay b s s Hadden, Edinburgh, whose wor prominena s ki t featur Thistle th f o ee t Chapelonlno ye highlar , y recommende r theifo d r originalit e cleveth r d designrfo an y t bu , craftsmanship they displa thein yi r execution (Hadden Papers, cuttings. 1) x bo , Such favourable reviews attracted commissions n frosuc s Lormme a h d Carmichaed an l Hadden's undertook extensive work at his home at Skirling in Peeblesshire. Lord Carmichael was greatly inspire e ironworth y db t Traquaika r House near Innerleithen commise h d an , - sioned Hadde virtuallo nt y plan wrought-iroa t n garden roun houses dhi . What began a s na interes ironworkn i t , however, soon becam gardee passioea th d t Skirlinna nan g overflowed WRIGHT: THOMAS HADDEN: ARCHITECTURAL METALWORKER 431 ILLU S4 'Devil ato Worlde pth ' weathervane. Skirling, Peeblesshire. (Copyright National Museums of Scotland) with decorative ironwork. Rabbitdog-shaped an g ,pi d footscrapers plac n wer i stand d t ean epu s for rambler roses and sweet pea trainers were topped with wrought-iron irises, lilies and tulips. e mosTh t intricate piece, however e 'Devith s l wa ato, Worlde pth ' weathervane (illu. 4) s In the years leading up to the Second World War, Hadden's continued to secure important commissions, working on cathedrals, castles, mansions and public buildings throughout Britain.