Die Bücher-Ornamentik Der Renaissance (Vol. I.) (page 1/6)

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Drunken Man, Detail from Border

This part of the Sixteenth-Century border-image woodcut by Lucas Cranach the elder shows a man holding a large wineglass, holding a large tankard, with perhaps a barrel under his arm. He is crowned with flowers and his head is surrounded by bees. He is dressed in tatty rags, his leggings have holes at the knees and torn cuffs at the ankles, and his [...] [more...] [$]

Ornate border from 1878 Title Page (green/brown version)

This is the ornate decorative border from the title page of this book; it features cherubs or putti (naked boys with wings) holding up giant urns or vases; mermaids and mermen; angels, vines, flowers and leaves, all in one border or frame! Although the border is probably from a medieval/mediaeval or renaissance source, it would of course [...] [more...] [$]

62f.—Initial capital letter “F” from Dance of Death Alphabet.

This decorative initial letter “F”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. Two grinning skeletons, representing Death, are attacking an empress sitting in her throne; one of the [...] [more...] [$]

62h.—Initial capital letter “H” from Dance of Death Alphabet.

This decorative initial letter “H”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It depicts a skeleton, representing Death, dragging off a bishop. [more...] [$]

Antique/Vintage Chain-link Border (coloured)

This full-page border is made up of circles linked together like a chain, with a woodcut engraved shaded background. I used orange red and black; the original woodcut is printed in plain black, with no ink (white) where I have the red and orange. [more...] [$]