Designs for goldsmith's ornaments
Jesse Du Buisson French
Not on view
Blackwork print, part of a series of designs for goldsmith's ornaments, consisting of a title page and six small prints with ornament designs enclosed by thin ovals. The series, like most designs disseminated through blackwork prints, were meant to function as inspirational models for works executed in champlevé by artists and craftsmen. They were often rendered on a scale of roughly one to one, thus resulting in small-sized prints, presenting a wide variety of designs for rings, watch cases, pendants, and medallions. The designs in this print consist of a rectangle, flanked above and below by crescent moons of different sizes, and to the sides by long, vertical friezes and two trapezoidal shapes, with small, scrolling branches, stylized leaves, bundles of round fruits, and semi-abstract flower. The rectangular design also contains a flaming heart in the center.