Rococo
“Beauty in radiators began with us” – Radiation and Decoration (1905)
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Showing all 7 results
The Evolution of the Rococo
The Rococo: The Classic Ornate Radiator
Named after the lavish French Rococo art movement of the 1700s, the Rococo radiator embodies the same spirit of elaborate decoration. As one of the most popular decorative radiators ever produced, it triumphed over 14 other ornate designs by the American Radiator Company (ARCo), becoming one of, if not their last decorative model still in production.
The Rococo is adorned with intricate detailing from top to bottom, showcasing ARCo’s exceptional casting capabilities and aligning perfectly with the tastes of the Gilded Age in America at the time of its release.
Image: The Rococo three column radiator from ARCos ‘Radiation and Decoration’ lookbook (1905)
1893
The Rococo radiator was introduced in 1893, just a year after the founding of the American Radiator Company (ARCo).
Early Rococo designs featured an ornate swirl at the base of the legs, similar to those seen on the company’s Peerless models. Attention to add ornate detail to radiator legs was a popular theme in the 1890s across various models, but was phased out about ten years later.
During this period, ARCo engraved “American Radiator Company” on all of their models just above the bottom bush opening, adding a mark of prestige to each radiator.
Image: The Rococo three column radiator from ARCos 1897 catalogue.
1910
By 1910, ARCo offered the Rococo in four different depths—1, 2, 3, and 4-column versions—marking a shift towards a more streamlined product line. ARCo had reduced the variety of models but expanded the versatility of popular designs by offering more heights and depths.
The design also underwent a few minor changes during this time. Instead of engraving “American Radiator Company,” ARCo began branding each radiator with its specific model name.
By 1925, however, ARCo had largely stopped advertising decorative radiators altogether, marking the end of an era for the iconic Rococo.
Image: A range of Rococo leg sections from ARCos 1910 catalogue.
