Plate from "Grateske voer golt smeden Schrijnwerkers Ende andere des nodich hebbende"

Plate from a print series consisting of a title page and five plates displaying motifs for the application in goldsmith's work, executed in blackwork. The plate contains five distinct designs, with one larger motif in the center and two smaller ones on either side. The two designs on the left have angular shapes closely related to schweifwerk ornament, while the other three motifs are characterized by curved flowing lines.
Due to the similarity in their production techniques, blackwork prints often relate to precious objects decorated with champlevé enamel work. Gelijs indicates, however, that his patterns may be used in other disciplines as well. The style of his ornaments is quite unique, blending elements from the late sixteenth-century schweifwerk ornament, with stylized peapods, floral elements and some forms related to the auricular style. This series is one of two series known by Gelijs, and is characterized by the almost square copperplates and exclusive use of the blackwork technique. The second series, which has been bound in a single binding with this series in the Met's collection, lacks a title plate, but is characterized by larger rectangular plates, and a combination of Gelijs' characteristic ornaments with figures and other motifs borrowed from other print series, executed in etching.