Architecture & Design · 19th century
€ 220
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good. Vibrant colors. Slight toning to the upper margin. A few faint spots in the left border. No tears or repairs.
Celtic Illuminated Ornament – Decorative Motifs from Early Manuscripts, c.1869
This richly colored plate, numbered XXXIX from L'Ornement Polychrome, presents an exquisite compilation of Celtic decorative motifs, primarily drawn from illuminated manuscripts and early medieval ecclesiastical art. Designed with exceptional precision and printed in chromolithography by Firmin-Didot, this collection reflects the height of Celtic artistic tradition as it evolved in Britain and Ireland from the 7th to 9th centuries.
Each panel and frieze showcases the dynamic intricacy of Insular art—characterized by interlacing knots, stylized animals, foliate spirals, and interwoven scrolls. The palette is bold and luminous, featuring deep blues, golds, reds, and greens typical of manuscripts such as the *Book of Durrow*, *Book of Kells*, and *Lindisfarne Gospels*.
Notable details include:
– Knotted zoomorphic patterns (center bottom) featuring stylized birds entwined in rhythmic symmetry
– Elaborate capital letters and marginal decorations recalling early Christian manuscript illumination
– Concentric and circular designs reflecting the fusion of pagan symbolism and Christian iconography
– Border strips and panels ideal for framing, textiles, or design inspiration
Lithographed by Baurer, this plate highlights the 19th-century revivalist fascination with medieval and Celtic art, popularized during the Arts and Crafts Movement. Racinet’s *L'Ornement Polychrome* aimed to make such historic styles accessible to artists and designers, and this particular plate is one of the most ornate in the Celtic series.
An exceptional print for collectors of historical design, lovers of Celtic culture, or anyone interested in the visual heritage of early medieval Europe.
Condition: Very good. Vibrant colors. Slight toning to the upper margin. A few faint spots in the left border. No tears or repairs.
Framing tips: A dark wood or aged gold frame with a soft ivory or parchment-colored mat will bring out the medieval character and color vibrancy of this plate.
Technique: Chromolithograph
Maker: Firmin-Didot, Paris, after Albert Racinet, c.1869
