Colonial blacksmiths were more common in the American Southwest and their work more sophisticated than has generally been recognized. They forged all manner of domestic utensils and hardware and served as gunsmiths, armorers and farriers. This book is the first historical and practical survey of the full range of ornamental and utilitarian ironwork used and made by Spanish people in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas from the 1500s to about 1850, and is one of the most complete pictures of any Southwestern colonial craft. It presents, also for the first time, a detailed summary of the distinctive methods employed by the old Hispanic smiths.
The book contains two parts. The first looks at the early iron manufacturing and blacksmithing industries of Spain and Mexico. The second deals with the colonial smith, his equipment, his methods, and the products of his forge. Information on these subjects has been derived from documents such as wills of blacksmiths, supply lists of expeditions, and inventories of mission workshops. All in all, the book is an invaluable and permanent source for practicing blacksmiths, historians, archaeologists, craftspeople, antique collectors, designers, and architects. Two hundred black and white photographs and fifty line drawings are included as well as a glossary of Spanish smith terms.
Show moreColonial blacksmiths were more common in the American Southwest and their work more sophisticated than has generally been recognized. They forged all manner of domestic utensils and hardware and served as gunsmiths, armorers and farriers. This book is the first historical and practical survey of the full range of ornamental and utilitarian ironwork used and made by Spanish people in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas from the 1500s to about 1850, and is one of the most complete pictures of any Southwestern colonial craft. It presents, also for the first time, a detailed summary of the distinctive methods employed by the old Hispanic smiths.
The book contains two parts. The first looks at the early iron manufacturing and blacksmithing industries of Spain and Mexico. The second deals with the colonial smith, his equipment, his methods, and the products of his forge. Information on these subjects has been derived from documents such as wills of blacksmiths, supply lists of expeditions, and inventories of mission workshops. All in all, the book is an invaluable and permanent source for practicing blacksmiths, historians, archaeologists, craftspeople, antique collectors, designers, and architects. Two hundred black and white photographs and fifty line drawings are included as well as a glossary of Spanish smith terms.
Show moreMarc Simmons, author and professional historian, has published 45 books related to the history and culture of the American Southwest. He has taught at several colleges and universities and is a Woodrow Wilson and a Guggenheim Fellow. In 1993, King Juan Carlos of Spain admitted him to the knightly Order of Isabel la Católica for his contributions to Spanish colonial history. Dr. Simmons is also a graduate of the North Texas Farriers School. Frank Turley is a member of the Artist-Blacksmiths' Association of North America, American Farriers' Association and New Mexico Professional Horseshoers' Association. For many years a professional blacksmith and farrier, Turley has been the director of the Turley Forge School of Blacksmithing since 1969 and is well known throughout the United States for his participation in major workshops and exhibitions. His work has been exhibited at the Pasadena Art Museum, State University of New York in Brockport, University Museum and Art Galleries of Southern Illinois University, and Mariposa Gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
"Southwestern Colonial Ironwork combines the knowledge and talents of an historian and a practicing blacksmith . . . the happiest of alliances. It will be most welcome in my library."--Ivor Noël Hume, former Director, Department of Archeology, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and author of Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America
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