A Handbook of Ornament

From simple patterns to the most intricate ornamentation, hand-drawn decoration was a vital part of 19th-century design. Originally published in 1888, this beautiful and highly detailed volume collects over 3000 examples of contemporary decorative figures, including designs inspired by oriental tiling, heraldic pomp and the sinuous curves of Art Nouveau. Covering the full range from basic geometric patterns and borders to complex, lifelike renderings of natural forms, Franz Sales Meyer's clear line drawings provide both guidance for the drawing student and a fascinating treasury of period decoration.