Decorative Ironwork

by Umberto Zimelli, Giovanni Vergerio, Anthony Sutton (Translator)

A brief glance at the illustrations in this book is enough to reveal the amazing virtuosity of the blacksmith's art, an art which has modestly flourished from the Middle Ages to the present day. In the Middle Ages, heavy wooden doors were reinforced and incidentally decorated with ironwork mounts, hinges and bolts. Later, the ironwork began to be used in chapels and tombs. By the Renaissance, craftsmen were also producing splendid lamp-holders, fire-screens, gates and coffers. In 18th-cent. France, the outstanding craftsman was Jean Lamour, smith to the court of King Stanislas at Nancy were examples of his workmanship can still be seen. In Germany, among the magnificent examples of Baroque ironwork, the gates and railings of the castle park at Wurzburg are supreme. Spain, having inherited the craft from Moorish invaders, has produced a wealth of objects from locks and coffers to the monumental screen in Granada Cathedral and the incredible constructions of Antonio Gaudi. The craftsmen in iron has clearly never lacked a vigorous creative imagination, and whether your taste is for the lace-like delicacy of a Gothic choir-screen or the grand sweep of a Baroque staircase, this book will provide ample enjoyment and interest.

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read through this book but found the many photographs very interesting in their craftsmanship. Only the first piece was severe and many were incredibly delicate but I was also surprised by the whimsy in a few (#22, pomegranate tree in iron; #40, the 18th century balcony railing). It is amazing how complex some pieces were. I was looking for inspiration for ironwork I hope to install in my house and this book shows how wide ranging the possibilities are.

[Sula]

Beautiful craftmanship and great images, but the text tended to describe pieces and didn't show images of them (the images are plates in coloured inserts, and while some are referenced in the text, many are not), which was not ideal. Bizarrely, and this might just be my edition, the contents were at the back of the book.