W. R. Lethaby (1857–1931)

I am planning to go to Istanbul this year (fingers crossed) and wanted information on Hagia Sofia. This book is DENSE and detailed, but for someone like me who loves architecture and history, was very informative. Not only does it give (albeat dated) descriptions of the church, but also the materials, services, and even some of the politics happening at the time. It details all of the decorations, past and present (to the writing of the book) and quotes mounds of sources. It has made me even show more more eager to go, and wanting to spend even more time inside this beautiful church, uh museaum, er mosque. show less

Chapter V: "The Jewel-Bearing Tree", pp. 95-121.
Originally published in 1891. Chapters include: The Microcosmos; Four Square; At the Centre of the Earth; The Planetary Spheres; The Labyrinth; The Golden Gate of the Sun; Pavements Like the Sea; Ceilings Like the Sky; the Windows of Heaven and 360 Days; the Symbol of creation.

Leadwork :Old and Ornamental and for the most part English
“That which gives to the leadwork of the Middle Ages a particular charm is that the means they employed and the forms they adopted are exactly appropriate to the material. Like Carpentry or Cabinet work, Plumbing was an art apart which borrowed neither from stone nor wood in its design. Mediæval lead was wrought like colossal goldsmith’s work.”