World of Ornament

Discover a world of decorative ideas with this compendium of history’s most elegant patterns and ornamental designs.

The World of Ornament brings together the two greatest encyclopedic collections of ornament of the 19th century: Auguste Racinet’s L’Ornement polychrome Volumes I and II (1875-1888) and Auguste Dupont-Auberville’s L’Ornement des tissus (1877) to provide one lavish source book spanning jewelry, tile, stained glass, illuminated manuscript, textile, and ceramic ornament.

Encompassing classical, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Asian and Middle Eastern, as well as European designs from medieval times through the 19th century, this compilation of cultures and aesthetics offers a primary reference for artists, historians, designers, and patternmakers, and anyone engaged in decorative design and impact.

About the series

Bibliotheca Universalis ― Compact cultural companions celebrating the eclectic TASCHEN universe!

Editorial Reviews

Review
„…a magnificent encyclopedia of adornment.“ ― The Wall Street Journal

„…an invaluable source book that presents beautiful patterns dating from antiquity to the 19th century.“ ― Elle Decoration

About the Author
David Batterham has been an antiquarian bookseller in London since 1965. He specializes in books and journals on the graphic arts, ornament, fashion, and caricature with an emphasis on work from France and Spain.