Catalogue of Drawings for Wrought Ironwork

Designed and published by the Rural Development Commission (formerly known as COSIRA), England

Originally published in 1973, revised and republished in 1976 and 1979, reprinted in 1983, 1985, 1989, 1995 and 1996.

ISBN 0854070 28 1

This 8" by 11 1/2" book consists of 223 pages of high quality pen and ink drawings. The 15 chapters cover the following areas: Door Furniture; Fireside Furniture; Lighting; Grilles, Plant Stands and Brackets; Lecterns; Weather Vanes; Furniture; Sundials; Balustrades and Railing; Miscellaneous; Gates; Tools; and Leaf Development.

This is a very good source of examples for traditional ironwork. Within this book you will find many ideas for handles to put on the ends of fireplace pokers, designs for sign brackets, picket treatments for railings, and much more. The chapter on weather vanes has 20 plus pages of silhouettes to use on the weather vane's arrow. I especially liked the one depicting Eve picking an apple from the tree in the Garden of Eden. If you are looking for inspiration for your designs this book will provide wealth of examples.

The chapter on tools is very light, there is only 4 pages and covers a flypress tool for making collars; a spring tool for leaf veining; a set of power hammer tools; and a hinged appliance for top and bottom tools.

Book review by Albin Drzewianowski

-- AlbinDrzewianowski - 07 Jan 2008