BABA Books

Decorative Architectural Ironwork
By Diana Stuart
BABA member price £31

Non-member price £37.50

Diana Stuart is completely and utterly in love with her native town, New York, she adores its architecture, and is besotted with its decorative ironwork: “I treasure all my precious boroughs.”
This photographic album, of over 600 pictures with captions, is, I feel, deliberately different from other Schiffer ironwork books. it is not selective - the beautiful, the most expertly crafted, with all examples in perfect condition - it is an enthusiast’s view, portrayed with a touch of innocence.
Any shortcomings in technical and artistic descriptions are outweighed by the love she has for the heritage of New York’s architectural ironwork. We can all appreciate the excitement of catching a glimpse of a balcony or railing, lamp or cresting, as we walk along a city street, and oh! how we would have wished to have a photograph of it; well this is precisely what Diana Stuart has accomplished, This photographic record reflects a human quality, because it shows quite candidly how New Yorkers use their ironwork, whether cast or forged. There is just one last comment, and that is, that this book shows the unique character of New York ironwork, and this individuality is a quality shared by all great cities, and that fact alone is fascinating, For these reasons this book will always sit comfortably beside the prestigious, and sometimes sensational, tomes which describe this magnificent art and craft.

Review by Malcolm Fay: The British Decorative Ironwork Foundation. Artist Blacksmith Magazine Autumn 2005

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