Wendell August is America’s oldest and largest forge, drawing on a century-old Pennsylvania legacy to handcraft all manner of housewares and accessories. Each one-of-a-kind piece is painstakingly hand-wrought without the use of production machinery.

Before Wendell McMinn August founded the forge in 1923, he worked in the coal industry. He hired a coal mine blacksmith to make door latches for Wendell’s home. The beautiful, inexpensive hinges inspired Wendell to change course, founding a company to create one-of-a-kind candlesticks, doorknockers, fireplace andirons, and the like.

Soon the forge expanded to aluminum gates and elevator doors, building its name and reputation. Then, they added metal giftware. Sales soared as the company produced hand-forged Christmas ornaments, vases, and jewelry.

Today, the blacksmiths still use the same eight-step process of metal crafting from the forge’s inaugural days. No two Wendell August pieces are completely alike, but each is an equally intricate, exquisite addition to home or wardrobe.