Recommended Books

If you have an interest in architectural wood carving then the first book Master Carver Ian Agrell recommends is Woodcarving: The Beginner’s Guide, which was co-written by Ian’s teacher many years ago, William Wheeler. (Ignore the horrendous re-issued cover that shows a machine-carved motif and a pocket knife. Earlier versions may have a different title; mine’s called Practical Woodcarving and Gilding. We suggest purchasing the other books when you are more aware of what types of projects you want to work on.

Practical guide to woodcarving and gilding by william wheeler and charles hayward 2

Ian’s well-worn, well-traveled William Wheeler book.

  • Woodcarving: The Beginner’s Guide by W. Wheeler & C. H. Hayward. Sterling Publishing Co. ISBN 0-8069-8790-1
  • Manual Of Traditional Woodcarving by P.N. Hasluck. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-23489-4
  • Handbook Of Ornament by Franz Sales Meyer. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-20302-6
  • The Styles Of Ornament by Alexander Speltz. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-20557-6
  • Historic Ornament by C.B. Griesback. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-23215-3
  • Pugin’s Gothic Ornament by Augustus Charles Pugin. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-25500-X
  • Florid Victorian Ornament by Karl Klimsch. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-23490-8
  • The Gentlemens and Cabinetmakers Directory by Thomas Chippendale. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-21601-2
  • Calligraphers Alphabet by Arthur Baker. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-21045-6
  • Ornamental Borders, Scrolls and Cartouches In Historic Decorative Styles by Syracuse Ornamental Co. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-25489-5
  • Banners, Ribbons and Scrolls by Carol Belanger Grafton. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-24443-1
  • Victorian Pictorial Borders by Carol Belanger Grafton. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-24693-0
  • Monograms & Alphabetic Devices by Hayward & Blanch Cirker. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-22330-2
  • American Eagle In Art & Design by Clarence P. Horning. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-23604-8
  • Medieval Ornament by Karl Alexander von Heideloff. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-28578-2
  • Medieval Decorative Ornament by James Kellaway Colling. Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-28740-8