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harvardfineartslib · 1 year

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It’s the season for decorating! If you are looking for something different or need inspiration, why not study The Grammar of Ornament from 1865? Harvard’s Mirador viewer lets you view the entire book! https://iiif.lib.harvard.edu/manifests/view/drs:425343599$1i (Link also available in our bio.)

The Fine Arts Library owns an original folio edition of Owen Jones’s (1809–1874)work, The Grammar of Ornament, one of the most influential color plate books on decorative design and ornament of the nineteenth century.

In the opening chapter, Jones wrote that one of the universal qualities among humankind is the desire to make beautiful things. Jones, an architect by training, assembled more than one hundred plates illustrating patterns and ornament from around the world and over different periods of time. Many of his illustrations were based on what he saw in museums and private collections in England at that time and in the Universal Exhibitions held in London in 1851 and 1855, as well as from his personal travels in Europe and parts of the Middle East.

The Grammar of Ornament employed the latest and most sophisticated printmaking innovations. The readers at that time must have noticed the wide range of colors in Jones’ lithographs. In color lithography, each color is printed from a separate lithographic stone, and the time, commercial lithographic printing usually included a set of only three or four colors. Knowing that color played a crucial role in ornament, Jones employed assistants and set out to create lithograph prints that required as many as twenty lithographic stones. The result was this beautiful publication.

Image 1: Egyptian No.1

Image 2: Egyptian No. 4

Image 3: Nineveh 7 Persia No. 1

Image 4: Greek No. 7

Image 5: Arabian No. 4

Image 6: Detail from Arabian No. 4

The grammar of ornament By Owen Jones ; illustrated by examples from various styles of ornament ; one hundred and twelve plates. Jones, Owen, 1809-1874 [author] London : Published by Day and Son, Limited, [1865] 157 pages, 100, that is, 111 leaves of plates : illustrations (some colored) ; 35 cm English HOLLIS number: 990050472950203941

Color illustration of Nineveh & Persian design showing several different patterns

Color illustration of Greek design showing several bold patterns inspired by plants and flower, mostly against dark background.

Color illustration of Arabian design showing several intricate Islamic mosaic patterns.

Detail from the previous image.

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harvardfineartslib · 1 year

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Here’s our second post from Owen Jones’ (1809–1874)seminal work, The Grammar of Ornament, one of the most influential color plate books on decorative design and ornament of the nineteenth century. Today, we’ll focus on some close-up shots. Can you guess where these patterns originated?

Image 1: Close-up image from Turkish design

Image 2: Close-up image from Moresque (Moorish) design

Image 3: Close-up image from Moresque (Moorish) design

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