Historic ornament and design is an area of perennial interest in artists and illustrators seeking inspiration from the past or actual art that can be used without a permission fee. The present volume offers just such a rich collection of attractive, usable folk motifs spanning a broad range of periods and cultures, from ancient Egypt to early-twentieth-century Japan.
Over 700 full-color designs, reprinted from a rare portfolio, include examples of decorative artwork derived from textiles, pottery, clothing, tapestries, and other original sources. Magnificently displayed are delicate florals and foliated designs, intriguing geometrics and graceful spirals, skillfully executed images of animals, and a host of other unusual design elements. Accompanying captions include dates and identify cultures from where the ornamental art was taken.