|
21a-7 (H) (White Oak)
Wrought Iron (Shire Album Number 350)
By Richard Hayman
2000. Shire Publications, Ltd., Cromwell House, Church Street,
Princes
Risborough, Buckinghamshire, England HP27 9AA UK
Internet: http://www.shirebooks.co.uk
Paper. 32 Pp
ISBN Number 0-7478-0441-9. $9.95 plus S&H
Subjects: Blacksmithing. Metalworking.
Wrought iron. Architectural
ironwork.
Wrought iron has been in use for thousands of years. While
Hayman does not
go the qualities of wrought iron that makes it impervious to
rusting, there
are basic sources to explain both this and recommended
blacksmithing
techniques in working with this type of metal. You have here
a jam packed,
photojournalistic piece of information on the application of
wrought iron to
both strengthen and beautify doors and other architectural
elements from
medieval times to the mid 19th century, when mild steel began to
replace
wrought iron.
While little Anglo Saxon ironwork exists, manuscript illustrations
show
practical application of iron straps for both door and chest use.
Photographs show surviving doors of the period that highlight long
strap
hinges along with decorative C-shaped bars that continued into the
Normal
period, which began to include more elaborate architectural
decoration, such
as fauna and flora. But traditional decorations remained,
such as
C-scrolls, bars with horseshoe scrolls and crosses. The same
hold true for
chests, and there are two exquisite, close up photographs that
show fine
crafted, highly decorative, 15th and 16th century door handles and
plates.
The Reformation in the 16th century would also influence
architectural
changes upon ironwork that shifted from being less functional to
more
decorative.
Iron railings and screens first appeared to protect places from
thieves and
overzealous pilgrims. But decorative influences would become
the major
emphasis by the late Medieval period and the 17th century.
Include are fine
photojournalistic presentations that show railing and screen
evolution from
both the 17th and early 18th centuries where both gates and fences
evolved
into visual architectural, fancy decorative delights .
Along with the 18th century came the Neo-Classic style ironwork
that became
an integral part of the typical urban street scene. Iron
balconies made
their appearance on both second floor doors, windows and above.
And
bracketed, overhead trade signs would be visual additives until
their
gradual; disappearance with the introduction of street signs and
house
numbers. Unfortunately, few of these trade signs have
survived.
Cast iron and other prefabricated gate and fence parts began to
appear in
the 19th century, despite periods where architects made use of
craftsmen in
the slow evolution to use of factory-produced architectural
embellishments.
Included are several photographs that show how 19th century
craftsmen
created both medieval appearing doors and wrought iron fences of
the past.
But most of the decorative influences would disappear with the
arrival of
functional, straight forward liens of 20th century modern
architectural
influences. Rounding out this informative presentation is a
descriptive
essay on places to visit that are famous for wrought iron
structures as well
as a basic listing of titles for additional research.
Chuck Hamsa
Reviewers Consortium
Lafayette, Louisiana
______________________________________
This is the end of the review, sent by Chuck Hamsa, Coordinator of
the
Reviewers Consortium, [http://dauphine.net/reviewers ]612 Alonda
Drive,
Lafayette, LA 70503. (337) 984-9305. We are volunteers
who like to tell
others about books! ****My mail email is [email protected],
the place
where I receive in reviews and other correspondence. Please
use that for
any messages.****
_________________________________________________________________
|