Amsterdam shipping work

This is from the Schepsvaarthuis, the headquarters of several rich shipping companies around the turn of the century. Now an expensive hotel. Not far from the main railroad station in Amsterdam.

When was this piece made, and is there more to it? Incredible!

I will post some other shots of the iron work around and in the building. The Scheepsvaarthuis was built around 1914, so right near that art nouveau time. The work was part of what was called the "Amsterdam School" and was distinctive from art nouveau forging in Belgium and Paris. The more than 200 bridges in Amsterdam have some really interesting work in the form of railings and lamp posts, done in big stock with big tools. An interesting book could be written with a little research in one of the nicest towns in Europe.

This building is truly master piece of art nouveau architecture in the Amsterdam School. I stumbled upon it while walking Amsterdam and my significant other had to drag me away. We went into the lobby to look around and got a tour from the head bellman. The whole building is a monument to the lore of the sea and the Zodiac. The iron work goes on and on, and is worth making a special trip to see if you happen to be in that beautiful city for any reason, but the composition that is the building encompasses much more than the iron work, however wonderful it is.

Once you start to pay attention you will notice iron work of this School, albeit in more restrained quantities, all over the city. The bridges are a good place to start.