Historic Floors: Their History and Conservation (Butterworth-Heinemann Series in Conservation and Museology) [Hardcover]

JANE FAWCETT (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0750627654 | ISBN-13: 978-0750627658 | Publication Date: July 22, 1998

This is the first book in the UK to be devoted to historic floors. It introduces an important and largely neglected subject and considers conservation methods in a European context.

It traces the history of some of the great floors of Europe from the fourth century B.C. and outlines the development of mosaic, tiles, marble and parquetry floors in secular buildings. The early Christian pavements in basilicas, temples and cathedrals, the creation of medieval tiles, ledger stones and monumental brasses, their destruction by iconoclasts and re-creation during the Gothic Revival, are also discussed.

Leading authorities, archaeologists, architects and archivists consider the latest methods of recording and repairing cathedral floors, including those of cathedrals, country houses, the monumental tiled pavements of the Palace of Westminster and other public buildings. Management policies to protect outstanding floors in over-visited sites are considered and historic features particularly at risk, are identified. Urgent action is recommended to contain the damage caused by the dramatic increase in tourism throughout Europe.


The first book in the UK to be devoted to historic floors

Contributions from leading practitioners in their field

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Historic Floors is an excellent reference.....the book is so well put together that scholars of architecture history as well as those looking at the application of mathematical ideas in architecture will find it particularly useful. The illustrations alone will make this hard to surpass as a sourcebook.'
Nexus Network Journal

'This comprehensive book charts the history of floors and their materials from the fourth century BC, through the marble floors of the basilicas and cathedrals, the development of medieval tiles, the great marble floors of England and on to the impact of tourism on flooring.'
Historic House

'The conservation community has eagerly awaited the publication of this excellent and much-heralded book. Jane Fawcett's book goes a long way towards redressing the balance of interest and concern in matters affecting the conservation of historic floors.'
Conservation Bulletin

'Here is a book that has an important position in written works on conservation to the fabric of historic buildings. With this detailed research and well-illustrated work, Jane Fawcett has professionally and definitively drawn our thoughts to earth, or rather the creative and diverse manners in which it has been covered and decorated.'
Conservation News

'This book serves as an introduction to a largely neglected but important subject.'
Journal of Architectural Conservation

'An enormously valuable book, both as a reference and perhaps just as importantly as an enjoyable historical read.'
EASA Newsletter

'This epic work, which describes in exhaustive detail floors of all types, timber, tiled, beaten earth and even scagliola - will be the standard book on the subject.'
The Victorian

'Jane Fawcett's book goes a long way towards redressing the balance of interest and concern in matters affecting the conservation of historic floors.'
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings News

'Jane Fawcett and her associates have laid down an excellent foundation and provided many pointers for future studies of this subject.'
The Georgian Group

'The conservation community has eagerly awaited the publication of this excellent and much-heralded book.'
English Heritage Conservation Bulletin

'It is a celebration of the beauty of floor materials and also an indictment of our sorry neglect of these much abused surfaces...this book should find a place on the bookshelves of all who are interested in or have to care for historic floors.'
Nadfas Church Recorders Newsletter

'This estimable publication, unusually elegantly written by Fawcett herself and by learned and experienced contributors...opens a whole new area of interest which can be explored by those whose only brush with conservation (or, indeed, ancient floors)'
Antique Interiors International

'As a work of academic standing Historic Floors is a fine achievement,and, as one would expect of anything with Jane Fawcett's name on it, the production quality is first class and "no-nonsense"'.
ASCHB Newsletter

"Historic Floors will henceforward be an invaluable reference,and, it is to be hoped, a stimulus to the study and care of floors."
Simon Jervis, The Furniture History Society Newsletter, August 2000

From the Publisher

Leading authorities, archaeologists, architects and archivists consider the latest methods of recording and repairing cathedral floors, including those of cathedrals, country houses, the monumental tiled pavements of the Palace of Westminster and other public buildings. Management policies to protect outstanding floors in over-visited sites are considered and historic features particularly at risk, are identified. Urgent action is recommended to contain the damage caused by the dramatic increase in tourism throughout Europe.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 260 pages
• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann (July 22, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750627654
• ISBN-13: 978-0750627658
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,607,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)