Kevin Clancy has been self-employed in the restoration trades since 1984. By 1990 he was focusing on blacksmithing with an emphasis on wrought-iron locks that span the first two-and-a-half centuries of European settlement, from 1600 to 1850. In addition to locks, he makes wrought-iron latches, hinges, and kitchen implements as well as sand-cast brass knobs and escutcheons.
Clancy uses traditional methods and prefers to make everything by hand in his one-man shop, enjoying a connection with past craftsmen. Besides carefully examining period pieces, he also studies artifacts from major archaeological collections to learn early blacksmithing methods. He continues to refine his skills and increase his knowledge of the processes of the past and is pleased that discerning clients appreciate his efforts.
Clancy has supplied hardware to major historic sites including George Washington’s Mount Vernon, James Madison’s Montpelier, Historic St. Mary’s City, and Jamestown Settlement as well as many other historic and private homes.
Clancy’s work was first selected for the Directory of Traditional American Crafts in 1992, and it has been chosen for the Directory every year since.
The entry deadline for the 2023 Directory of
Traditional American Crafts has passed. We are now processing entries and submitting
them to our jurors. We will contract entrants after the jurors have made ther decisions.
BACKGROUND
