The Grammar of Ornament: All 100 Color Plates from the Folio Edition of the Great Victorian Sourcebook of Historic Design (Dover Pictorial Archive Series) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This beautiful and highly influential book, long a classic in its field, includes all 100 original color plates from a rare Victorian edition. Among the nearly 3,000 copyright-free designs are exquisite Greek and Roman borders and mosaics, Celtic designs taken from manuscripts, motifs from medieval paintings and stained glass, floral patterns from Chinese porcelain and much more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Revised edition (October 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486254631
• ISBN-13: 978-0486254630
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,022 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Textures and Ornaments! Great for Webdesign, June 19, 2000

By	E. Munir "EM" (Karachi, Pakistan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

FREE use of graphics is permitted ... it is a great resource for web designers. It has great designs and textures which, if used properly, can really enhance your website. A lot of the graphics can make for lovely textures and backgrounds. The graphics are from history .... ornaments from Oceania, Egypt, Greek, Pompeian, Roman, Byzantine, Arabian, Turkish, Moorish, Persian, Indian, Chinese, Celtic, Medieval, Renaissance, Italian ... loads of Ornaments from all over. A must buy IMO!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Grammar has Remained an Influential Source , September 10, 2006

By	Southern Review (USA) - See all my reviews

Englishman Owen Jones first published his monument to design, the Grammar of Ornament, in 1856. It was originally published in installments for subscribers. Jones's illustrated plates and design motifs drew from nineteen different cultures including the ornament of Oceania, Rome, Byzantium, ancient Greece, Renaissance Italy, Rome, and Moorish Spain.

The Grammar was adapted to architectural decoration, fabrics, textiles, tile design, furniture and wallpaper during the second half of the nineteenth century. It has remained influential among designers worldwide.

The quirky colorways are decidedly of another era and worthy of study. I have effectively used them to thwack my creativity out of occasional dead ends or potholes. This is a respected, classic reference. It is deserving of space in every designer's reference library.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, October 1, 2005

By	C. I. Massey (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is excellent for artists, web designers,students. there are well chosen designs of many countries and eras and more than just a few for each catagory.It is a reference book that is a total must.