Decorative Antique Ironwork

Title: Decorative Antique Ironwork: A Pictorial Treasury

Author: Henry Rene d’Allemagne

Publisher: Dover Publications, New York, 1968

ISBN: 0-486-22082-6

415 pages $21.95

This book is a reproduction of the plates from the 1924 French catalogue of the Le Secq des Tournelles Museum of Rouen ((France)). The introduction, bibliography and translation of captions was done by Vera K. Ostoia.

Henry Rene d’Allemagne (1863-1950) was a scholar and a collector. His interest was in the decorative arts, rather than in the “great arts” i.e. painting, sculpture, etc. In order to appreciate the work that he studied, he apprenticed himself to a famous French blacksmith and worked there for 5 years. According to Vera Ostoia, he combined the enthusiasm of an amateur, a collector, a historian and a traveler, with the knowledge of a professional.

Over the years, d’Allemagne, as this book is commonly referred to, has come up many times as a recommended source book by demonstrators at hammer-ins.

This book has more than 4000 examples of classic European ironwork from the Roman times to the beginning of the 19th Century. Even though few of us will be making the types of items illustrated here, the design elements shown can be incorporated into our own work. There are numerous examples of railings, locks, keys, key plates, door knockers, hinges, sign elements, and the list just goes on and on. At least for me, it seems that I can flip to any page in the book and see design elements which I could incorporate into my work. If you are interested in the kind of work that Tom Latane and George Dixon do, then this book would be an endless source of ideas and inspiration.

Another way to approach this book is to look at of the pieces and realize that they had been done prior to mid 1800’s. Done all by hand, no power tools, no electric drills, dremel tools, or die grinders. As I sit and study a key plate or lock front, I have to wonder how many hours went into that one piece which would be installed at waist level on a door. At the time that it was used, how many people would ever really take a close look at the intricacy, the detail, the craftsmanship. It brings a whole new perspective to our craft.

Book review by Albin Drzewianowski

-- AlbinDrzewianowski - 16 Dec 2007