Walter Macfarlane & Co built the cast iron conservatory at Carlston, a private house in Kelvinside, shown in this photograph c 1910. A feature of the conservatory is the curved "fish-scale" glazing. The delicate iron frames held tiny panes of flat glass in tiers at slightly differing angles to give a wonderfully scintillating effect in the sunlight.
Wealthy houseowners regarded a conservatory as a prestigious addition to their property. Macfarlane's catered for this demand, and also supplied structures such as winter gardens and palm houses to public authorities. As well as the ironwork, Macfarlane's made glass at the firm's Saracen Foundry in Possilpark.
Reference: Mitchell Library, GC f672.2506541443 MCF
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
Carlston, cast iron, conservatories, fish-scale glazing, foundries, glass, iron founders, ornamental ironwork, palm houses, Saracen Foundry, Walter Macfarlane & Co, winter gardens