From Scotland to the Amazon: the iron rain water pipes from the Scottish foundry W. McFarlane & Co. on façades of the Historical Center in Belém, Pará, Brazil

ABSTRACT

As a result of the Rubber Cycle, also known as “Belle Époque”, that stroke Brazil during the late 19th and early 20th century, the municipality of Belém (PA-Brazil) underwent several transformations in its urban, architectural, and social structures. This period was characterized by metal ornaments imports from European countries, modifying the architecture of the city. In this scenario, the Scottish company W. MacFarlane & Co was among the foreign companies that intensely exported cast iron goods, including a range variety of patterns and design of iron ornaments, especially water ducts in eclectic façades - still present in the city. Despite representing an important historical, technological, and architectural testimony, these water ducts are currently in danger due bad functioning, substitutions, and robbery. This research aims to document quantity, patterns, and alteration forms of the water ducts present in seven neighborhoods in Belém, including the historical center, besides discussing the ducts transformations that still occur within the urban landscape. A total of 408 ducts from 223 façades were documented in the study, indicating a great variety of patterns. The results will subside these ducts safeguard as a part of the remanent metal architectural elements from the industrialization in Belém that are disappearing through the years, as well as provide data for further research on these water ducts for scientific restoration purposes.

KEYWORD:
Architecture of industrialization; Iron rain water pipes; W; MacFarlane & Co