Overview

St. Louis became the world’s largest manufacturer of ornamental façades made of galvanized sheet iron. This type of metalwork was dominated by Mesker & Brother (Bernard and Frank Mesker). The technique, following traditional repoussé, created ornamental designs in relief by hammering malleable metal from the reverse side. The Meskers produced monumental works of architecture in classical designs using large mechanical presses developed during the Industrial Revolution. Today more than 3,400 Mesker façades (most installed on commercial buildings) have been identified in some 1,400 American towns. NBAC has numerous examples in both ferrous and non ferrous metals, including a complete cornice from the former Gaslight Square in St. Louis.

See also

Mesker Collection, 52 containers of archival material relating to the Mesker Brothers’ metal work and other enterprises.