The Bible in Iron; : or, The Pictured Stoves and Stove Plates of The Pennsylvania Germans

Abstract

The Bible in Iron is a richly illustrated book published in 1914 that documents and studies cast-iron stoves of Pennsylvania German origin. The stoves, decorated with intricate religious iconography derived from biblical stories and classical texts, were popular in the colonial period but had received little attention in historical texts and studies. Henry Mercer explains and describes the art of cast-iron stoves, their European origins, and their history in North America, presenting detailed analyses of the images and inscriptions on more than two hundred stoves found in the Pennsylvania region. The Bible in Iron provides unique insight into the cultural and spiritual life of Pennsylvania Germans through its examination of largely overlooked everyday objects.