The Styles of Ornament ibook

Explore the history of ornament through the patterns, objects, and architectural details that give each tradition its distinctive character.

In The Styles of Ornament, Alexander Speltz brings together decorative forms arranged in historical order, accompanied by descriptive text. From ancient Egyptian and classical ornament to medieval interlace, Islamic geometry, Renaissance compositions, and Baroque and Rococo decoration, this handbook invites readers to study how motifs develop across cultures, materials, and periods.

Borders, foliage, scrolls, lettering, furniture details, metalwork, and architectural features offer opportunities for close observation and comparison. The book connects decorative forms with the objects and surfaces they adorn, making it a useful reference for artists, designers, craftspeople, and students of art and architecture.

This study edition includes:

• David O’Conor’s English translation of Speltz’s historical text.
• Reconstructed ornamental illustrations presented in black and white.
• A fourteen-page editorial companion by Alim Ekiz, with guidance on reading historical designs, examining symmetry and repetition, comparing materials, and developing practical studies.
• Renumbered pages with original-page references to help readers navigate the historical contents and index.

Historical wording and terminology are retained, allowing readers to encounter the work within its original intellectual setting.

This is an edited study edition, not an unabridged facsimile. Selected illustrations and the historical publisher’s advertising catalogue have been omitted, and reconstructed artwork may differ in detail from the source.

A reference for thoughtful study, The Styles of Ornament encourages readers to look beyond individual motifs and understand how line, proportion, rhythm, and material work together in decorative design.