1900s The Gates Chirk Castle North Wales Postcard (UDB)
About This Vintage Postcard
This stunning color lithograph features the legendary wrought-iron gates of Chirk Castle, a masterpiece of Baroque metalwork in North Wales. Created between 1712 and 1719 by the renowned Davies brothers of Bersham, these gates are celebrated for their incredible detail, including the Myddelton family coat of arms and intricate floral motifs. Topped with lead wolves, the family crest, the gates originally stood at the main entrance to the castle before being moved to their current location at the end of the park in the 19th century. Chirk Castle, a Grade I listed Marcher fortress, remains one of the few Edwardian castles still inhabited today, and these gates serve as a magnificent testament to the artistic heritage of the Welsh borderlands.
Details
Era: Undivided Back (c. 1901–1904)
City: Chirk
State or Region: Wrexham County Borough, North Wales
Country: Wales
Topic: Chirk Castle Gates, Davies Brothers Ironwork, Welsh Castles, Myddelton Family, Baroque Art
Condition: Uncirculated
Postage: None
Address Side: undivided back
Orientation: Horizontal (Landscape)
Artist / Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: Valentine & Sons, Ltd. (Valentine's Series)
Printer: Printed in Great Britain
Print Type: Lithograph
Additional Information
This card was published by Valentine & Sons as part of their extensive topographical series. The use of an undivided back indicates it was manufactured prior to the 1904 postal regulation changes in Britain. The gates themselves are considered among the finest examples of 18th-century ironwork in Europe; the Davies brothers, Robert and John, were famous blacksmiths whose work can also be found at Eaton Hall and Wrexham Church. Interestingly, the name Chirk is derived from the Welsh "Y Waun," meaning "The Moor," reflecting the castle's position overlooking the Ceiriog Valley. This specific print captures the soft, hand-tinted aesthetic typical of early 20th-century color postcards.
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