This magnificently illustrated volume showcases elegant examples of ironwork designs by five centuries of Italian masters. Spanning the fourteenth through the eighteenth centuries, the collection encompasses both simple and elaborate ornaments for doors, windows, gates, balcony and staircase railings, and other architectural features. A remarkable variety of motifs are depicted--from gracefully executed florals and foliated elements, to exquisite swirls and curls, and striking portrayals of mythical beasts.A dazzling treasury of ornamental ironwork, this archive of royalty-free motifs will delight lovers of antiques, commercial artists, and anyone intrigued by decorative flourishes from the past.