Wrought iron sunflower

This wrought iron sunflower was designed by Norwich based architect and designer Thomas Jeckyll and made by local firm Barnards. Jekyll excelled in the design of Anglo-Japanese metalwork and furniture as evidenced here. The successful partnership between Jeckyll and Barnard went on to win various international awards. The sunflower featured on a pagoda designed for the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876 which hosted 37 nations to celebrate 100 years of American cultural and industrial progress. The Exhibition was an immensely popular exhibition and therefore an ideal opportunity in which to showcase this exceptional workmanship. The pagoda was subsequently purchased by Norwich Corporation for £500 and was built into a local park, Chapel Field Gardens. The Chapelfield Pagoda survived World War II unfortunately it was later demolished as it was deemed unsafe. Many of the sunflowers were saved and placed on the gates of local parks and gardens. In recent years, Jeykll’s designs have been re-evaluated, gaining new admiration. His sunflower motif has certainly stood the test of time; it is recognised worldwide as an icon of the Aesthetic design movement.