Panagiota Manti reviews

vation of existing paint coatings. These two areas of conservation have grown in importance for metalwork, especially as in the more recent past it was commonplace to remove all old paint layers back to a bare metal surface. There are now techniques that can be used to successfully conserve original paint finishes and it would have been good to see some discussion of them. The book is primarily aimed at those tasked with delivering architectural ironwork conservation projects. As the author notes, being commonplace, the value of ironwork is often overlooked resulting in the loss of such heritage over time. This book aims to provide the reader with the necessary theory and understanding of current practical techniques to ensure the correct conservation approach is taken to ironwork and is an excellent book for clients, custodians, architects and specifiers. It also provides conservators with a good resource to refer to when involved with architectural ironwork projects and, writing as an historic ironwork specialist, this book provides an excellent reference and should be a valuable resource to all those caring for architectural ironwork.