Firmin-Didot after Albert Racinet, VII of L’Ornement Polychrome, 1869, Paper

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Description

This lavish chromolithograph showcases the opulence and artistry of ancient Etruscan jewelry, meticulously reproduced in vivid color and detail.

Plate … Read more This lavish chromolithograph showcases the opulence and artistry of ancient Etruscan jewelry, meticulously reproduced in vivid color and detail.

Plate VII from L'Ornement Polychrome, this print captures an extraordinary array of Etruscan adornments—gold necklaces, earrings, fibulae (brooches), pendants, and amulets—many set with precious stones or rendered with mythological and symbolic motifs. Dominating the composition is an elaborate central medallion set with a large cabochon, surrounded by granulation, filigree work, and inset gems in rich hues of red, blue, and green. Around it, the plate features finely illustrated chains, cameos, animal-head motifs, goddesses’ faces, and recurring motifs such as acorns, lions, and serpents—symbols deeply tied to fertility, protection, and divinity in Etruscan religious beliefs. Some items are clearly influenced by Greek design, but with a distinctly Italic twist, reflecting the Etruscans' role as cultural intermediaries between ancient Greece and Rome.

This 19th-century print draws from archaeological finds held in European museum collections, interpreted here by Albert Racinet and lithographed by Duran. Published in Paris around 1869 by Firmin-Didot, this plate is part of Racinet’s landmark encyclopedic series documenting global ornament. Created using the chromolithographic method, it achieves stunning depth and richness of color, making it both a scholarly reference and an artwork in its own right. This print was used as a teaching tool and design source during the 19th-century revival of historic styles in jewelry and the decorative arts.

Condition: Very good condition. Colors bright and unfaded. Clean sheet with only minor edge toning and light spotting in outer margins. No tears or repairs.

. Technique: Chromolithograph Maker: Firmin-Didot, Paris, after A. Racinet, c.1869 See less