Celtic Initials & Alphabets

by Courtney Davis

This magnificent collection of Celtic scripts contains hundreds of initials and alphabets demonstrating a sweeping range of cursive pen strokes and decorative letters. The art of using initial letters to summarize the content of a book receives expert attention, as do unusual techniques such as the triquetra , a three-pointed knot; the diaper ; the pelta , an abstract Celtic motif built out of triangles; and repeating geometric patterns.

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

His work has been exhibited widely in Europe, USA, and as far a field as Japan and Australia. Celtic Art designer Courtney Davis is widely acclaimed as the best-known contemporary Celtic-design artist in the world.

Reviews

[Sharon Watts]

I thought this was going to be a study of flourished styles of Celtic manuscripts, but it turned out to be so much more. I have a much better understanding of when alphabets developed and how they were transported to Europe and latter to the northern portions of Europe. I enjoyed both the art and script that taught me things I didn’t know.

[Jerome]

I bought it for the illustrations, as research for a series of illustrations, but I started reading it and found it fascinating. It is full of the detailed useless information of which I am so fond.