Forged Architectural Metalwork

by Peter Parkinson

At one time, almost every town and village had a blacksmith. There are fewer smiths today, but despite the public perception that blacksmithing belongs to a bygone era, the craft is thriving. Architectural ironwork demands a wide spectrum of skills, from making a finely detailed drawing to forging heavy, red-hot metal bars. A good gate, grille, or balustrade looks so self-evidently right in its setting that its origin seems almost beyond question, but a blacksmith had to measure, design, forge, assemble, finish, and fit it in place. Written by a leading artist blacksmith, and illustrated with nearly 250 photos and drawings, Forged Architectural Metalwork looks at design, construction, finishing, and installation, as well as the skills required of smithworkers in the architectural field today.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2006