Welcome to the Cornerstone Forge web site. Here you can see various pieces of hand wrought/ hammered aluminum giftware that I create. I began as a collector of vintage aluminum giftware and after researching various aluminum artisans, I was fortunate enough to acquire vintage steel dies engraved by Henry Mansfeld and L. Gene Stewart. Both Mansfeld and Stewart were very talented Pennsylvania aluminum artisans. With these unusual dies I am able to create hand wrought aluminum giftware much as it was produced back in the 1930's when the industry began. I carry on a tradition of hand hammered aluminum that began in Pennsylvania and has endured by many talented artisans over the years. However, there are very few people left who create aluminum giftware as I do, completely by hand without the use of pneumatic hammers.
I draw inspiration from the aluminum masters like Arthur Armour and the Palmer-Smith Forge along with classic forms from the last century. I am also inspired by Arts and Crafts construction and design.
I create each piece entirely by hand, one at a time. The pieces produced are not reproductions but are new artistic interpretations. I make over 60 kinds of items including various bowls and trays, clocks, candleholders, coasters, trivets, cuff bracelets, barrettes, pins, vases, key rings, book ends, Christmas ornaments, napkin holders, belt buckles, business card holders and boxes. I even made a few silent butlers for a special order. I welcome special orders and your ideas for new items. I am always experimenting with new shapes and forms and testing my abilities.
On the left you will find links to several pages. The Mansfeld by Dennis Gallery link will take you to items made with dies from Henry Mansfeld. The L. Gene Stewart by Dennis Gallery link will take you to pieces made with dies from L. Gene Stewart. In the Hand Wrought by Dennis Gallery you will see items made without the use of dies. These pieces were made with the use of wire-art which are pre-formed steel wires made by me and various stamping tools. If you are interested in info about the artisans, click on the Artisan Info link. For information and pictures about my perennial plant nursery, click the Cornerstone Gardens link. Cornerstone Press gives you info on my research monographs concerning various aluminum artisans. If you are inerested in old classic aluminum, check out my 2 pages of Vintage Aluminum For Sale.
To Order, email or call me with what you want and I will email back with a total. I now accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover via the telephone only. Thanks for visiting, I look forward to hearing from you.
Email cornerstone_pa@yahoo.com
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