The splendid illustrations in this book represent outstanding examples of the ironworker's art. Spanning some 600 years, the meticulously rendered black-and-white line designs depict authentic hinges, railings, casement fasteners, latches, handles, and other ornamental elements selected from a wide range of styles and structures from the twelfth-century to the eighteenth. A List of Plates provides approximate dates of all illustrated examples.An invaluable source of inspiration for ironworkers attempting to recapture the beauty and craftsmanship of metalwork created by early masters, these royalty-free, nearly life-size patterns (reduced by about 20 percent for this edition) will also be of value to artists, architects, and designers.