Architecture & Design · 19th century
€ 220
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good. Minor toning in outer margins, colors remain bright and clear. Plate area clean and well preserved.
17th Century Decorative Motifs – Rich Baroque Ornamentation from L'Ornement Polychrome, Plate LXXIV
This striking chromolithograph, Plate LXXIV from Auguste Racinet's L'Ornement Polychrome, presents an exquisite selection of 17th-century decorative motifs in the flourishing Baroque style. Characterized by exuberant floral arabesques, sculptural acanthus leaves, and dense foliage, the designs reflect the grandeur and elegance of the period’s interiors and applied arts.
At the top of the composition is a dense and intricate tapestry of stylized plants and thistles in bronze and gold tones set against a brilliant blue background. This ornamental pattern suggests carved wood or embossed leather, commonly found on furniture panels, doors, or interior wall cladding of the period.
Beneath it, a collection of smaller elements displays the diversity of Baroque design. A pair of symmetrical brown-on-brown flourishes is arranged with botanical motifs resembling embroidered or stenciled wall coverings. A circular medallion design filled with filigree scrollwork suggests use in ceiling rosettes or ceramic tile inlays. A bordered red-and-white cartouche of rhythmic scrolls may have served as a textile or manuscript pattern. The lower section includes architectural friezes and heraldic motifs, notably the large “AA” monogram set in an ornate frame of gold and lapis blue—possibly a cipher for a royal or noble patron.
The composition is lithographed by C. Sanser and printed by Firmin-Didot Frères of Paris, renowned for their chromolithographic excellence. The meticulous detailing and harmony of metallic, earthy, and jewel-like tones bring these historic forms vividly to life, offering a direct glimpse into the ornamentation vocabulary of 17th-century European design.
Condition: Very good. Minor toning in outer margins, colors remain bright and clear. Plate area clean and well preserved.
Framing tips: A dark wood or gilded frame with a neutral or pale blue mat will highlight the intricate detail and historical elegance of this piece.
Technique: Chromolithograph
Maker: C. Sanser (lith.), Firmin-Didot Frères, Paris, c.1869
