Ornamental Alphabets, Ancient and Mediæval (page 7/10)

Decorative initial letter “S” from 16th Century

This capital letter “S” is suitable for use as a drop cap (dropped capital) or a decorative initial; there’s also a small version for an avatar or icon. It shows a king as a beast, and a bird-beast. [more...]

Decorative initial letter “T” from 16th Century

This capital letter “T” is suitable for use as a drop cap (dropped capital) or a decorative initial; there’s also a small version for an avatar or icon. [...] [more...]

Decorative initial letter “U” from 16th Century

This capital letter “U” is suitable for use as a drop cap (dropped capital) or a decorative initial; there’s also a small version for an avatar or icon. It shows a sun, with rays and a face rather like a lion; perhaps it would be good for a chapter opening in a Narnia book! Note that this is [...] [more...]

Happy bashful fiery sun face drawing

This reddish-yellow sun face has an out-of-control hairdo and a cute smile; it’s a detail from a Sixteenth Century decorative initial letter “U”. [more...]

Decorative initial letter “V” from 16th Century

This capital letter “V” is suitable for use as a drop cap (dropped capital) or a decorative initial; there’s also a small version for an avatar or icon. It includes a mediæval court jester! Note that in 16th century manuscripts this letter would [...] [more...]

Decorative initial letter “Y” from 16th Century

This capital letter “Y” is suitable for use as a drop cap (dropped capital) or a decorative initial; there’s also a small version for an avatar or icon. It [...] [more...]

52.—16th Century from Wood Engravings

This is not a good scan; I plan to replace it with one made at a higher resolution. It is an alphabet with some ornate decoration and flourishes. [more...]

53.—Mongrams, Crosses, etc. [overview]

Monograms (e.g. IHS), gothic crosses and other religious symbols. [more...]

53.1.—Cross of the Holy Name

The closest cross I could find to this one is the symbol used in Cabbalistic mysticism representing a Holy Name. It is also similar to the cross used by the pope and other Papist dignitaries alongside their [...] [more...]

53.2.—IHS Monogram

The monogram IHS comes from the Greek for Jesus, IHESUS, or from the Latin Ihesus Hominum Salvator, which is, Jesus, saviour of Mankind (Jesus was the name of a religious person). A modern interpretation is In His Service. [more...]

53.3.—Clubs

This symbol is part-way between a clover-leaf, a Lutheran Cross and they sign for the playing-card suit of clubs, which in turn derives from the alchemical symbol for wood. [more...]

53.4.—Decorative Cross

A decorative cross. The outer part is an anchor cross or a fleur-de-lys cross. I have no further information on this one. [more...]