This thesis is an introduction to the former Anhaltian ironworks of Mägdesprung. It covers art iron casting from the 1860's to the begining of the 20-th century. It presents exhibits from the Horn-Mägdesprung collection of Allstedt castle, including early art cats following the tradition of the Royal Prussian Foundries, copies of items from past art epoches, and pieces by well-known artists like Antonio Canova, Bertel Thorvaldsen, Ernst Ritschel, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Christian Friedrich Tieck et al., among them the ironworks sculptors Johann Heinrich Kureck 1821-1889), Wilhelm Elster 1840-1912) and Wilhelm Elster junior 1869-1916). The illustration section gives a survey of iron casting production, ranging from pieces of artistic work to articles for everyday use, including short descriptions and possible links to products of other iron works, especially the Eisenfaktorei Ilsenburg. The thesis lists iron cast pieces ranging from classical plain ones via historicist ones to Art Nouveau. It describes the development of the ironworks from its foundation in 1646 to the end of the 20-th century, drawing connections to the history of the village. For that, regional maps and a map showing the mines as well as plans of the iron works buildings and the church are attached. |