Ornamental Ironwork

Two Centuries of Craftsmanship in Albany and Troy, New York

Diana S. Waite

Ornamental ironwork is an important but often overlooked feature of nineteenth and early twentieth century architecture. Iron fences, balconies, window grilles, roof crestings, stairways, and storefronts protect, support, and add character to buildings great and small. This book opens up a fascinating new world of highly skilled craftsmanship. It explains how to distinguish between wrought and cast iron and points out the many motifs that master ironworkers created. It reveals how early blacksmiths fashioned delicate railings to grace Federal-style residences and how foundries turned out thousands of prefabricated iron building parts that were at once economical and decorative. Because ironwork in Albany and Troy was stylistically and technologically up to date with the best in America, this book provides a sound framework for comparing and documenting ironwork in other cities. A chapter for property owners explains how to repair ironwork and how to work with a contractor.

141 pages. Fully illustrated. 8-1/2 x 11. Soft cover. $24.95. (1990) ISBN 0962536806