The nineteenth century was a period of vast industrial developments, one of which was increased efficiency in cast-iron production. As cast iron proliferated into many aspects of architecture and applied arts, design critics renounced the material as vulgar and deceitful. In an effort to beautify cast-iron products, smelting manufactories hired professional designers, like Christopher Dresser, with visually stimulating results. In this hall stand, which was part of a larger series, Dresser combined medieval foliage motifs with classical depictions of the Greek gods of wind and water, Boreas and Aquarius.