Fantastic Ornament: French Color Design (Dover Fine Art, History of Art)

Derived from a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted studio sourcebook of the early 1900s, the patterns in this stunning collection combine to form a treasury of bold, colorful designs. These images have never before appeared in print, and this compilation affords users a unique selection of remarkably brilliant motifs. Originating in Lyon, France's long-time silk capital, the patterns were created by anonymous designers for the embellishment of fabrics. Predominantly florals and foliates, these decorative figures pulse with brilliant colors — vivid scarlets, muted olives, pearly grays, salmon pinks, and other dazzling hues.

Rendered in a full-page format, the designs are ideal for use in modern textiles, graphics, and a host of other art and craft projects. Their timeless beauty assures their ongoing value as a source of inspiration and royalty-free material for artists, designers, decorators, textile makers, and crafters.