Charleston is full of extraordinary ironwork — from gates to balconies to window grills to purely decorative pieces. These gates, which can be found next to 15 Limehouse Street, are a wonderful example of wrought or forged) iron.
Wrought iron is created by heating the iron and beating it into shape by a hammer (think blacksmith). Each piece of bent iron is unique and every wrought iron creation is unique. This is in contrast to cast iron, where a mold is made and the molten metal is poured in — which allows the creation an unlimited volume of identical pieces. Each has its own beauty. Charleston is best known for its wrought iron, particulalrly by the master craftsman Philip Simmons.