From the fifth to the nineteenth centuries, the people of western India built stone cisterns to collect the water of the monsoon rains and keep it accessible for the remaining dry months of the year. These magnificent structures-known as stepwells or stepped ponds-are much more than utilitarian reservoirs. Their lattice-like walls, carved columns, decorated towers, and intricate sculpture make them exceptional architecture., while their very presence tells much about the region's ecology and history. For these past 500 ...
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From the fifth to the nineteenth centuries, the people of western India built stone cisterns to collect the water of the monsoon rains and keep it accessible for the remaining dry months of the year. These magnificent structures-known as stepwells or stepped ponds-are much more than utilitarian reservoirs. Their lattice-like walls, carved columns, decorated towers, and intricate sculpture make them exceptional architecture., while their very presence tells much about the region's ecology and history. For these past 500 years, stepwells have been an integral part of western Indian communities as sites for drinking, washing, and bathing, as well as for colorful festivals and sacred rituals. Steps to Water traces the fascinating history of stepwells, from their Hindu origins, to their zenith during Muslim rule, and eventual decline under British occupation. It also reflects on their current use, preservation, and place in Indian communities. In stunning color and quadtone photographs and drawings, Steps to Water reveals the depth of the stepwells' beauty and their intricate details, and serves as a lens on these fascinating cultural and architectural monuments.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in fine jacket. Foreword by Milo Beach. Extensively illustrated with both color and black-and-white photographs. 211 pages, 4to, pictorial boards, d.w. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, (2002). A fine copy in a fine dust wrapper.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Size: 12x9x1; Princeton Architectural Press; New York, 2002. Hardcover. A Very Good, illustrated boards, binding sturdy and intact, mild rubbing to spine edges and board corners, trace waving along top and bottom page edges, a hint of sunning to page margins, in a Very Good, some handling/scuff marks to panels, bit of edge/corner wear, Dust wrapper. A nice, clean and unmarked copy. 4to[quarto or approx. 9.5 x 12 inches], 211pp., glossary, appendix, notes, bibliography, indexed, color and b&w illustrations. We pack securely and ship daily with delivery confirmation on every book. The picture on the listing page is of the actual book for sale. Additional Scan(s) are available for any item, please inquire.
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Seller's Description:
Good in good dust jacket. Some sun fading along top front of jacket, else very good. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 208 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade.
