# Overthrow (structure)

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[[Image:Overthrow. Giano.gif|thumb|right|200px|[Belton House](/source/Belton_House), Lincolnshire: the overthrow is the section of ironwork which passes over the gate itself, connecting the piers]]
[[Image:Chelsea cremorne gardens 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Mid-19th century [Neo-baroque](/source/Baroque_Revival_architecture) gates with overthrow from [Cremorne Gardens, London](/source/Cremorne_Gardens%2C_London)]]

In [wrought iron](/source/wrought_iron)work, the '''overthrow''', particularly popular in the [Baroque](/source/Baroque) era commencing in the 17th century, refers to the crowning section of ornamental wrought [ironwork](/source/ironwork) which forms a decorative crest above a wrought-iron [gate](/source/gate); the overthrow provides some stabilizing structure tying together supporting [pier](/source/Pier_(architecture))s on either side of the swinging sections. The piers may be masonry or of assembled sections of wrought iron. Aside from this stabilizing feature, the overthrow was largely freed of constraints of barring passage of animals or people. Consequently, the iron master was free to express his fancy. Overthrows often feature [monogram](/source/monogram)s or [cypher](/source/royal_cypher)s, armorial [crest](/source/Crest_(heraldry))s or supporters, and even fully realized [coats of arms](/source/Coat_of_arms).

==Examples==
Some outstanding English and Welsh examples of overthrows:

*[Chirk Castle](/source/Chirk_Castle), Denbigh. 1719. By [Robert Davies](/source/Davies_brothers_of_Wrexham), a pupil of [Jean Tijou](/source/Jean_Tijou).
*[Leeswood](/source/Leeswood), Mold, Clwyd. The "White Gates". 1726 By Robert Davies.
*[Eaton Hall](/source/Eaton_Hall_(Cheshire)), Cheshire. [Golden Gates](/source/Golden_Gates%2C_Eaton_Hall). c. 1730. By the Davies Brothers of Croes Foel.
*[Okeover Hall](/source/Okeover_Hall), Staffordshire. 1756. By Benjamin Yates, a pupil of [Robert Bakewell](/source/Robert_Bakewell_(ironsmith))
* [Clandon Park House](/source/Clandon_Park_House), Surrey. 18th century. Installed by [Lancelot 'Capability' Brown](/source/Lancelot_'Capability'_Brown).

==References==
* {{cite book | last = Beard | first = Geoffrey | year = 1966 | title = Georgian Craftsmen and Their Work | url = https://archive.org/details/georgiancraftsme00bear | url-access = registration | publisher = Country Life | location = London | oclc =1061927}} (2nd edition: published by South Brunswick and New York: A. S. Barnes & Company, 1967. {{OCLC|1477644}})

Category:Types of gates

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Overthrow (structure)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overthrow_(structure)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overthrow_(structure)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.