Celtic Design: Spiral Patterns [Paperback]

Aidan Meehan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Celtic Design | Publication Date: May 1993

The oldest and most characteristically Celtic type of design, spiral patterns illustrate vividly the continuity between pagan and Christian Celtic art. Spirals are a constant presence, from the art of Late Stone Age Central Europe, through megalithic temple sculptures, the La Tene bronzes of the Gauls and Britons, and Pictish jewels, to the marvellous system of Celtic art's golden age in the early middle ages. Aidan Meehan gives detailed practical advice on how to adapt that living tradition to the demands of modem craft and design, with the aid of abundant illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (May 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500277052
• ISBN-13: 978-0500277058
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #780,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a Celtic artist who has written and illustrated 15 books on Celtic design, and now works as a full time artist exploring the art form in new ways, mainly as a painter. I also like to draw with the goose quill, and still enjoy doing calligraphy, mainly copperplate with the quill, and flourishing, which, it seems to me, is a continuation of the early Irish tradition, down through the centuries, by way of generations of scribes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History and construction of Celtic Sprial Patterns, March 31, 2000

By 

Kathleen Loughlin (oceanside, ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celtic Design: Spiral Patterns (Paperback)

Meehan is not only the most proflific writer of celtic pattern books, but one of my favorite to read. A warning here, these are fairly serious books for people that are truly caught by the art of the Celts and wish to know more about it. These are not clip art books nor stencils. Meehan does a beautiful job of joining historical information and the construction. In reading books you know that he loves this subject. His books are full of tantalizing hints into another world that throws around terms like 'the Waldalgesheim pattern'. Which he does explain, but leaves one with the desire to run out and find a book specific to that subject and learn more. Short of doing what I suspect might be doctoral work on the subject, reading Meehan's books are the way to go. He also has a useful appendix of terms in the back. My favorites in this book however are the discussion on the triskele, the triple sprial patterns, which are not considered knotwork per se, and are therefore not to be found in the standard books on knotwork. This book also covers some of the more freeform curving designs that do not come under the knotwork category. Well worth the read.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for those interested in Celtic Designs., March 30, 2001

By 

Aquaria.Info "Aquaria.Info - Aquarium Fish On... (Aquaria.Info) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celtic Design: Spiral Patterns (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for those looking to create celtic designs.

This book teaches about the prehistoric spiral, the megalithic spiral then goes through early & middle celtic spirals. It then follows into the insular and golden age spirals.

The book is best used when accompianied by Aidan's other Celtic Design books. I have 7 of the books in this series and love them all!

All in all this is a great book for someone looking to create celtic designs.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More good source material, March 29, 2008

By 

Karen Tiede (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celtic Design: Spiral Patterns (Paperback)

The book's about 1/4 running and infill designs, 1/2 medallion, and 1/4 history of spiral design. Useful stuff, and powerful in an ancient way. The work I've carved based on this material sold the first time out.