Iron stand

The first irons used for smoothing fabric creases date back to the 2nd century BCE in China. They took the form of deep pans made of bronze, which were filled with glowing charcoal to heat them to the proper temperature. Irons of this type were used not only in China but also in other regions of the Far East, continuously until the 19th and even the 20th century. The first irons made of wrought iron, resembling the shape of modern irons, date from the 14th to 15th centuries. In the past, metal stands were used to safely place the iron during breaks in ironing or after finishing, when the iron was still hot. Their shape was adapted to the soleplate of the iron, and they were mounted on short legs. They often had a handle, usually with a hole at the end for hanging the stand on the wall. Stands served not only a practical function but also a decorative one. Today, like the old irons, antique stands are often interesting interior design elements or collectible items. The ethnographic collection of the National Museum in Szczecin features an iron stand with an openwork floral-geometric pattern. It is a factory-made product, though the manufacturer is unknown. Stands of this type were commonly used. Agnieszka Słowińska