Creative Craftsmanship

Maybe it is because we live amongst the many old houses decorated with fretwork designs that we no longer see or appreciate these creative expressions of craftsmanship. 

Fretwork is the ornamental designs found on furniture, musical instruments and architecture, commonly created using wood or metal (cast iron or aluminum). The designs could be grids, lattice, and waves or intertwined patterns. Fretwork is a characteristic of the George Brown style houses popular in the 1880's.

The craftsmanship of the fretwork designs were done meticulously by hand using fretsaws or jigsaws which enabled the wood work craftsman to carve and cut out these intricate designs. The fretwork is both decorative and functional since it was mainly placed on the tops of doorways or balustrade balconies to facilitate free air flow and keep the buildings cooler. 

Besides the creative craftsmanship of these wooden designs, the artists were creative in thought since the placement of their designs are well suited to the space they adorn. This can be seen in the angular doorways where the fretwork designs placed above the doorway is filled with curves that create a softer visual effect on the straight edge entrance. 

These examples of fretwork designs shows the dedication and patience of these past  crafstmen which is a testament of their creativity of thought and spirit.