This beautiful book illustrates the splendid ornamental lettering and decorative art in illuminated Russian manuscripts dating from the 10th through the 16th centuries. It contains over 1,000 motifs reprinted in full color from a rare book of design first published in France in 1870.
Among the designs are richly embellished letters from the Cyrillic and Greek alphabets, elaborate manuscript page heads and ornate corners and borders. Many of the designs incorporate mythological creatures, religious iconography, and design elements deeply rooted in early Slavic and Byzantine cultures. There is a strong Celtic flavor as well.
On page after page, the distinctive motifs in this collection reflect the unique heritage of Russian design, a rich amalgam of East and West. Students of graphic design and the decorative arts will find the book an invaluable reference. Graphic artists will find these rare, copyright-free examples of medieval ornament, which lend themselves to color copying, ideal for many kinds of projects.
Dover (1994) republication of all 100 plates from Histoire de l'Ornement Russe de Xe au XVIe Siècle, d'Après les Manuscrits, Vol. 1, published by Vve A. Morel & Cie, Paris, 1870.
