A VICTORIAN SCOTTISH IRONWORK HORSE TROUGH BY WALTER MACFARLANE & CO., the body cast with foundry details 'WALTER MACFARLANE & CO., SARACEN FOUNDRY, GLASGOW' raised on six foliate capped hairy hoof legs. 224cm long, 76cm high, 60cm wide Walter Macfarlane & Co. was a world-famous Scottish iron founders based in Glasgow 1849-1965. The firm is also known as the 'Saracen Foundry' after its original location in Saracen Lane, Gallowgate.The range of designs, ironwork fittings and structures produced by the firm was vast. In its infancy the company focussed mainly on utilitarian products but in later years they expanded into more ‘ornamental ironwork’. Design became paramount and beautiful ornate structures such as fountains and bandstands were produced - one of the most celebrated being the Saracen Fountain in Alexandra Park, Glasgow, which was exhibited in the 1901 Glasgow International Exhibition, and given to the city by Walter Macfarlane & Co. when the exhibition closed.The majority of designs and building components produced by the firm are recorded and illustrated in a two-volume catalogue that spans 2,000 pages. The design of the horse trough being offered in this sale can be seen on pp.416 of Volume II. The firm’s founder Walter Macfarlane I and his nephew, partner and later successor Walter Macfarlane II clearly understood the potential of a comprehensive catalogue of design as a means by which to access and capitalise on an international market. Such business acumen allowed the foundry to enjoy a long period of success, surviving both World Wars.