Symbols, Signs and Signets (Dover Pictorial Archive)

Reproducing in historical sequence 1355 signs, seals, and symbols from the simplest drawings of heavenly bodies, through the intricate heraldic devices of the Middle Ages, to modern cattle brands and hobo sign language, this book will be of immense value to the commercial artist and designer. The development of man as an artist and designer is here recorded pictorially by one of the world's foremost experts in the field of graphic art, Ernst Lehner. This book is divided into 13 sections, each with a separate brief introduction: Symbolic Gods and Deities (Egyptian, Babylonian, Greek, Germanic, Incan, Aztec, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, etc.); Astronomy and Astrology; Alchemy, Magic, and Mystic (Nordic runes, magic circles, etc.); Church and Religion; Heraldry (coats of arms, badges, etc.); Monsters and Imaginary Figures; Japanese Crests; Marks and Signets (engravers, goldsmiths, armorers, stonemasons, etc.); Watermarks (fourteenth–eighteenth centuries); Printer's Marks (fifteenth–seventeenth centuries); Cattle Brands; and Hobo Signs. All the signs, symbols, and signets are pictured in black and white on strikingly laid out pages, with full explanatory notes for both lay readers and specialists. Anyone interested in means of communication other than language will find this book fascinating and authoritative. The student and teacher in the graphic arts will find it a practical visual guide through the transformation of simple marks and signs into the complicated emblems of our time. Chinese craft design excelled in the manipulation of geometric space and reached its highest point in the design of window lattices on Chinese houses. Long recognized as an important folk art, window lattices have been generally neglected as an art form and this book is the first work on the subject since the 17th century. Fortunately, it is also the definitive work on the subject, and though no book can present a complete coverage of Chinese lattice, this book is a great classic study and an incredibly rich source of design for Westerners.More than 1200 designs are shown here, arranged in a clear system of classification that includes 22 areas of related design — borders, brackets, tail pieces, and so on. The lattices are classified according to one basic figure or concept, and the hundreds of beautiful design variations fall into only 26 categories: parallelogram, octagon or octagon square, hexagon, single focus frames, double focus frames, triple focus frames, quintuple focus frames, no focus frames, wedge-lock, presentation, out-lock, in-out bound, the Han line, parallel waves, opposed waves, recurving wave, loop-continued, like swastikas (a Buddhist symbol), unlike swastikas, central Ju I, allover Ju I, S-scroll, U-scroll, rustic ice-ray, symmetrical ice-ray, and square and round. Each category is introduced in sections at the front. In addition, there is usually a short description for each design and every design is designated by name, location, and approximate date of construction.Professor Dye spent over 21 years studying and copying lattices all over China, and because of the ravages of time and changing cultural values, this collection can probably never be duplicated. Balanced, intricate, sometimes asymmetrical, usually harmonious, these lattice designs present a wealth of material for the Western commercial artist, textile designer, pattern-maker, and craftsman. Reflecting their Chinese heritage, these designs are universal and can be used almost anywhere. Chinese craft design excelled in the manipulation of geometric space and reached its highest point in the design of window lattices on Chinese houses. Long recognized as an important folk art, window lattices have been generally neglected as an art form and this book is the first work on the subject since the 17th century. Fortunately, it is also the definitive work on the subject, and though no book can present a complete coverage of Chinese lattice, this book is a great classic study and an incredibly rich source of design for Westerners. More than 1200 designs are shown here, arranged in a clear system of classification that includes 22 areas of related design borders, brackets, tail pieces, and so on. The lattices are classified according to one basic figure or concept, and the hundreds of beautiful design variations fall into only 26 parallelogram, octagon or octagon square, hexagon, single focus frames, double focus frames, triple focus frames, quintuple focus frames, no focus frames, wedge-lock, presentation, out-lock, in-out bound, the Han line, parallel waves, opposed waves, recurving wave, loop-continued, like swastikas (a Buddhist symbol), unlike swastikas, central Ju I, allover Ju I, S-scroll, U-scroll, rustic ice-ray, symmetrical ice-ray, and square and round. Each category is introduced in sections at the front. In addition, there is usually a short description for each design and every design is designated by name, location, and approximate date of construction. Professor Dye spent over 21 years studying and copying lattices all over China, and because of the ravages of time and changing cultural values, this collection can probably never be duplicated. Balanced, intricate, sometimes asymmetrical, usually harmonious, these lattice designs present a wealth of material for the Western commercial artist, textile designer, pattern-maker, and craftsman. Reflecting their Chinese heritage, these designs are universal and can be used almost anywhere. Chinese art and design are permeated by a connecting sense of the wholeness of all things. Its extensive vocabulary of design motifs is based on four timeless spirit, rhythm, life, and movement. True Chinese design is never meaningless ornamentation. Its exquisitely beautiful combinations of blossoms and sprays, birds, animals, inscribed medallions, and symmetrical designs are artistic puzzles in which words and syllables are represented by pictures or symbols. When sounded in sequence, they become auspicious phrases and afford the solution to the puzzle. Yet, aside from their inherent wisdom or sly humor, these designs of unusual zest and elegance demonstrate the aesthetic capabilities of one of the world's richest artistic traditions. They are remarkable for their subtlety, finesse, spontaneity, and skill; but most importantly, for their enduring beauty. Modern-day artists and designers will find in these immortal designs fresh insight into today's graphic and design challenges. In this volume, noted artist Joseph D'Addetta offers his own careful and sensitive pen renderings of motifs taken from first-rate examples of Chinese objets d'art in leading museums and private collections. Included are motifs from ceramics, textiles, jade, lacquer, bronzes, and furniture beginning in approximately 1300 B.C. and continuing through the Qing dynasty, which lasted until the early twentieth century. These 284 outstanding and royalty-free motifs are divided into eight Flowers and Plants; Wave and Cloud Forms; Medallions; Horizontal Bands; Animal Life; Symbols; Allover Patterns; and Ceramic Objects. Dates of the dynasties and periods are provided, with names in both pin yin and Wade transcriptions. This comprehensive archive offers authentically detailed, copyright-free illustrations of hundreds of plants and flowers from around the world. Ideal for graphic artists, designers, and others in the arts and crafts, it will also serve both serious and casual botanists as a convenient reference and key to identification of a broad range of botanical species. Each illustration has been carefully selected from botanical archives for its scientific accuracy, artistic style, and suitability for reproduction. The plants and flowers are grouped by kind, uses, and habitats into seventeen categories, among them aquatic plants, carnivorous plants, grasses, rushes and sedges, orchids, ornamental plants, plants of commerce, mushrooms, molds and lichens, ferns, mosses, trees, shrubs, weeds, wildflowers, and vines. For easy and accurate reference, both common and botanical Latin names are given for each species whenever possible. All names have been compiled into two convenient indexes. Alan E. Bessette, Professor of Biology at Utica College of Syracuse University, is a well-known naturalist, botanical photographer, and author of numerous books and field guides on botanical subjects. William K. Chapman, a biology teacher and member of the adjunct faculty at Utica College, is a well-known speaker and writer on the gathering of wild foods, and the author of field guides to plants and animals of the Adirondacks. This generously illustrated book brings back into print a turn-of-the-century catalog depicting over 1,000 ornamental sheet metal designs offered to architects, interior designers, and home builders by a major American supplier. Today's architectural historians, renovation specialists, and vintage home enthusiasts will find it an indispensable reference guide to the embellishments that were an essential component of Victorian era homes and public buildings. Artists and designers will find here an enormous wealth of striking ornamentation for use in art and craft projects. A total of 639 line illustrations and 156 halftones in line detail a grand assortment of ornamental drapery; vases and wreaths; eagles, lion heads, and gargoyles; ribbons, garland, and festoons; brackets and medallions; capitals, finials, and banisters; sunbursts, weather vanes, and much more. The measurement available and original 1900 prices are included for each item. Graphic designers as well as architectural enthusiasts will find these drawings and photographs of great value for the exacting, close-up detail they provide of the rich motifs that decorated turn-of-the-century parlor ceilings, staircases, door frames, entrance halls, porches, fireplaces, and other interior and exterior elements. One of the great anthologies of historic ornament and design, on a par with Owen Jones'Grammar of Ornament and Racinet's Historic Ornament, Dolmetsch's dazzling collection of over 1,500 illustrations — most in full color — is a veritable treasure chest of royalty-free images. Artists, designers, and hobbyists will also find design inspiration on every page, with images of artistic ornaments from antiquity through the 19th century, when this volume was originally assembled. Arranged chronologically, coverage begins in the ancient world, with designs from Roman architecture and sculpture, mosaic floors of Pompeii, and Byzantine embroidery. From the Middle Ages come illuminated manuscripts and stained glass decorations. Items dating from the Renaissance and later include Italian glass painting, pottery, and lace; French tapestry and block printing; and German metal work and weaving. One of the great anthologies of historic ornament and design, on a par with Owen Jones' Grammar of Ornament and Racinet's Historic Ornament , Dolmetsch's dazzling collection of over 1,500 illustrations most in full color is a veritable treasure chest of royalty-free images. Artists, designers, and hobbyists will also find design inspiration on every page, with images of artistic ornaments from antiquity through the 19th century, when this volume was originally assembled. Arranged chronologically, coverage begins in the ancient world, with designs from Roman architecture and sculpture, mosaic floors of Pompeii, and Byzantine embroidery. From the Middle Ages come illuminated manuscripts and stained glass decorations. Items dating from the Renaissance and later include Italian glass painting, pottery, and lace; French tapestry and block printing; and German metal work and weaving. With the opening of Japan to the West in the mid-19th century, much of Japanese life that had been sealed off from the rest of the world for centuries was now revealed to the public at large including the artistic styles and subjects depicted in this excellent collection. Rendered by a trained British architect, the images comprise one of the most comprehensive surveys of Japanese art and ornamentation. Included are graceful details from landscapes, floral motifs, abstracts, sea life, and other designs ideal for use in modern textiles, graphics, and a host of other art and craft projects. A delight for anyone interested in Japanese art and culture, this volume will be an invaluable source of permission-free graphics for designers and decorators in search of new subjects with authentic Japanese flavor. Over 300 figures on 65 plates. The Definitive Work On An Area Of Chinese Design Long Recognized As An Important Folk Art. 1,239 Designs Are Shown, With Titles, Commentaries, And Other Information: 265 Groups Of Design Based On Parallelogram, Octagon, Hexagon, Single Focus Frames, Wedge-lock, Parallel Waves, Swastikas, U-scroll, Etc. Daniel Sheets Dye. Previous Editions Published Under Title: A Grammar Of Chinese Lattice. Reprint Of The 1949 Ed. Published By Harvard University Press, Cambridge As Vols. 5-6 Of The Harvard-yenching Institute Monograph Series. Includes Bibliographical References.

one Of The Great Anthologies Of Historic Ornament And Design. A Veritable Treasure Chest Of Royalty-free Images, Arranged Chronologically: Roman Architecture And Sculpture, Byzantine Embroidery, And Illuminated Manuscripts; Italian Glass Painting, Pottery, And French Tapestries From The Renaissance; Mosaic Floors, Painted Plasterwork, And Metal Ornaments. Over 1,500 Color And Black-and-white Illustrations.

A must for architectural historians, restoration specialists and vintage home enthusiasts: over 1000 late Victorian-era designs, superbly drawn or photographed, including egg and dart enrichments; bead, flute and ogee enrichments; drapery and drop ornaments; urns, vases and wreaths; eagles, lion heads and gargoyles; rosettes, ribbons, garlands and festoons; sunbursts, weather vanes and much, much more. 1095 illustrations A must for architectural historians, restoration specialists and vintage home enthusiasts: 1,095 late Victorian-era designs, superbly drawn or photographed, including egg and dart enrichments; bead, flute and ogee enrichments; drapery and drop ornaments; urns, vases and wreaths; eagles, lion heads and gargoyles; rosettes, ribbons, garlands and festoons; sunbursts, weather vanes and more. Publisher description -- This comprehensive archive offers authentically detailed, copyright-free illustrations of hundreds of plants and flowers from around the world. Ideal for graphic artists, designers and others int he arts and crafts, it will also serve both serious and casual botantists as a convenient reference and key to identification of a broad range of botantical species The last and one of the most important of the great chromolithographic collections of the Victorian era, this magnificent volume first appeared in 1892. Spans a wide spectrum of ornamental styles: Greek moldings and pilaster designs; medieval roof ornamentation,'masonry'patterns; Renaissance coffer and panel ornamentation; Japanese fret bands; and more.

the Lovely Images In This Rare Collection Comprise One Of The Most Comprehensive Surveys Of Mid-19th-century Japanese Art And Ornamentation. Included Are Graceful Details From Landscapes, Floral Motifs, Abstracts, Illustratons Of Sea Life, And Other Subjects-ideal For Use In A Host Of Art And Craft Projects. Over 300 Figures On 65 Plates.

One of the finest, most extensive sources of royalty-free illustrations of the world's plants and flowers, chosen for scientific accuracy, artistic style. Common and botanical Latin names specified. 1,761 black-and-white illustrations.

All 100 full-color plates — 253 individual designs — from one of the greatest printed volumes from the Victorian era. Panel decorations, bands, borders, ornaments, crestings, diaper patterns, and many more.

Illustrations of the world's plants and flowers, chosen for scientific accuracy, artistic style and suitability for reproduction. Common and botanical names.

284 Chinese motifs —  flowers and plants, animal life, and more. 100 plates.

284 Chinese motifs — flowers and plants, animal life, and more. 100 plates.