Architectural and Decorative Images to Share

For something out of the ordinary, I thought I'd share some fabulous book plate images that I purchased a while back.  Sometimes old architecture and design can spark an idea or inspire one to create something unique and unusual.  Just looking at the intricate details and color combinations in these images gets my creative juices flowing.  See what happens as you absorb their beauty......

First we have intricate lace weaving and embroidery, the country and era of origin was not indicated on this book plate.  You should be able to "click" on this image to enlarge it and see all the wondrous details:

 

Next we have frou frou from the German Renaissance, which occurred in the 15th and 16th centuries.  The rather stiff looking woman in the picture below is holding a little dog, which makes her a little more appealing:

 

The next image, which I love, is titled "Polychrome Architecture".  Polychrome means "multiple colors".  Many of the ancient Greek structures were quite colorful when originally contsructed, contrary to the images we have now of bleached white marble ruins.  Even the Great Sphinx of Giza, in Egypt, was thought to be quite colorful when it was completed.  What color do you think it was?

 

Last but not least we have elaborate motifs of the French Renaissance, which would date these motifs to around the late 15th century to the early 17th century.  I should note that the book these images came from was published in the late 19th century:

 

Antiquarian book dealers cringe when they see gorgeous book plates such as these that have been removed from a book.  The book itself loses so much value without the colorful illustrated plates.  Many times you will see botanical drawings, zoological examples, and other illustrations that have been removed from books and are for sale individually, like my examples were, or framed so they can be enjoyed as wall art.  I suppose I've contributed to the problem by buying these, but it did it for you, so I hope that's a good enough reason.  I think it is.....

As long as I'm on the topic of books, you might want to learn more about book values, rarity, and ever-so-important condition issues.  This link will give you all sorts of information to get you up to speed before garage sale and flea market season begins.  Rare and valuable books can pop up anywhere, so it's good to have some knowledge in this area.  Right off the bat, I know that sets of encyclopedias and old bibles aren't valuable, for the most part.  This is a big disappointment to many, especially folks that have kept the old family bible in a place of reverence for generations.  To them I ask:  Why are you trying to sell it?  It needs to stay in your family, for Pete's sake!

Now that March is here, I'm getting into "buying mode".  There haven't been many good estate sales around here, but soon there will be a few to choose from each week.  And auctions will be more plentiful, which really makes me happy.  I love a good auction!

Don't forget, the Antiques Market of Williamston is having a March Madness Sale coming up March 26 (I erroneously announced it was March 5 in my last post, which has since been corrected).  The mall will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with 15% all merchandise, then from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with 20% off all merchandise.  Take advantage of this opportunity if you can.  I've been loading up my booths in preparation for the big sale, and I'll definitely spend some time shopping too!!

Comments

[Kim]

Send some creativity my way please! I think I am creatively challenged! LOL! Thanks for sharing!

[JeanneP]

The colors in these book plates are amazing!! And I just happen to be working on Cards tonight!! Thanks for the inspiration!!

[Mitzi Curi]

Im glad you enjoyed the images, Jeanne. And thanks for being a loyal reader. Your comments are always appreciated!

Mitz

i ----- Original Message -----

[Susan]

Mitzi hi! i'm in full clean out mode here. The prospect of Spring makes me want to sell everything! weird how that comes & goes isn't it? I've only been to a couple sales over the winter, hopefully you'll have some good sales coming your way soon! enjoy the weekend and thanks for the visit!! susan

[wini]

What beautiful book plates! Thanks for the inspiration Mitzi. I love decorative design! Wini xo