all original and intact c. 1870's antique american exterior cast iron building facade pedimented-shaped window hoods attributed to the hammersly foundry of new york city, ny. the anchored cast iron window header was salvaged from a cast iron building located in the soho district of manhattan. the mid-1870's window hood contain multiple rings along the backside designed to anchor the header into the iron facade the older weathered yellow pant finish is largely intact. soho contains the greatest collection of cast iron structures in the world. approximately 250 cast iron buildings stand in new york. cast iron was initially used as a decorative front over a pre-existing building--most of these facades were constructed during the period from 1840 to 1880.an american architectural innovation, cast iron was cheaper to use for facades than materials such as stone or brick. molds of ornamentation, prefabricated in foundries, were used interchangeably for many buildings, and a broken piece could be easily recast. the buildings could be erected quickly. architects quickly realized that the relatively inexpensive cast iron could form the most intricately designed patterns. as a result, classical french and italian architectural designs were often used as models for these facades. there was a profusion of cast iron foundries in new york, including the major firms of badger's architectural iron works, james l. jackson's iron works, and cornell iron works. since the iron was pliable and easily molded, sumptuously curved window frames were created, and the strength of the metal allowed these frames considerable height. thus, the once somber, gas-lit interiors of the industrial district were flooded with sunlight through the newly enlarged windows. the strength of the cast iron permitted high ceilings with sleek supporting columns, and interiors became more expansive and functional since the iron was pliable and easily molded, sumptuously curved window frames were created, and the strength of the metal allowed these frames considerable height. thus, the once somber, gas-lit interiors of the industrial district were flooded with sunlight through the newly enlarged windows. the strength of the cast iron permitted high ceilings with sleek supporting columns, and interiors became more expansive and functional. two matching window hoods available. priced individually. 51 x 5 x 11 1/2 inches