The Language of Ornament

World of Art

by James Trilling

Ornament, the art of decorative patterning, includes some of the most spectacular creations of human imagination and skill. Although the fashion for unadorned form pushed ornament to the margins of Western taste in the twentieth century, an ornamental revival is now under way. This book introduces the global panorama of ornament and will be of value to crafts people, collectors, and students of art history. Trilling's approach is both visual and historical. With over 200 illustrations, he presents the dazzling variety of ornament so that the reader can appreciate both its inherent form and the role it has played in everything from the monumental architecture of Mycenaean Greece to the inlaid vessels of Zhou Dynasty China, from the bronze mirrors of Early Celtic Britain to the carved and woven ornament of the Indians of Alaska and British Columbia. The characteristics of individual styles are balanced against their evolution and interaction from the Paleolithic Age to the present day. Special attention is paid to patterns that migrate across large stretches of space and time, showing how ornament becomes a record of cultural interaction through trade, conquest, and the spread of religions. Finally, Trilling explores the fate of ornament since the beginning of modernism in the early twentieth century. Modernism actually nurtured a vibrant and original ornamental style of its own, one so different from traditional ornament that its true nature went virtually unrecognized. Ornament in the postmodern era is open to any number of possible innovations, combining the modernist legacy with forms and principles from the world of traditional ornament. 50 color and 175 b/w illustrations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Reference, Design, History, Art History

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Ania Gaska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very good introduction to ornament: it gave a general overview of the history and made me excited to learn more. The author's writing was enthusiastic and included examples and details that sparked my imagination.

[Caomhghain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very surprised at how enjoyable and informative this book was. It makes an overwhelming case for the importance of ornament (even in modernist, 'ornamentless' works). It traces history, fashion, examples of recurring and changing motifs and has a plethora of really good illustrations.

[xiandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this beautifully written and researched book. It gave me plenty of food for thought, I wrote many notes in its margins. A wonderful and thorough introduction to the world and thought of ornament.

[Giovanni García-Fenech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those rare books that makes you look at art--and the environment around you--in a whole new way. If I have any complaints is that I don't know what to follow it with. Fantastic.

[J Grimsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book with a set of theories that I need to think about

[Bernadette Puleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone like me who has been a designer/artist since childhood this topic is of great interest. Trilling brings it all together between the covers of this book from historical to his own conjecture. I absolutely loved it! Not to mention his writing style and use of vocabulary held my interest throughout. I especially found his treatise in craft and modern times to be quite pertinent. A good read for anyone interested in our delight in ornament.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a person, who always have thought ornament as really useless or childish thing, this book was ideal for exploring other mindset possibilities. I enjoyed the great balance between educational, informative, analyzing and emotional style of writings. Some of ideas were absolutely new to me or I hadn't even being close to look at things in that particular way. I feel safe to say, this reading experience will change may way, how I look at art.

[Jennpants · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little on the more tedious end of art history books -- only for the truly nerdy. I did, however, appreciate a brief discussion on Modernism and ornament.

[Sazuru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important reading if you wonder about your urge to decorate, sanctify, finish something off with a border or bow...for artisans, et. al.