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The use of lead ornamentation in gardens of today gives the same sense of permanence and maturity such as that which is implied by stone walls, moss and established trees. Lead has been used in garden ornamentation and architectural detailing for centuries.
At the direction of Henry the Eighth, the Tower of London was protected
from rain water damage with the use of ornate lead pieces that directed
the water away from the building. In the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries it was used extensively in the gardens of Europe in the form
of planters and statuary. In the latter part of the eighteen hundreds
lead experienced a revival with the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau
movements. Lead lasts. It has longevity that is not available from any
other material, neither stone nor terra cotta. Lead lasts virtually forever and it improves with time as its natural patina develops. It is this silvery grey patina that was so admired by landscape designers throughout the centuries. It is a color and texture that fits well with both greenscapes and hardscapes. Lead ornaments require no care and can be safely left outside all year round even in the harshest climates. |
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