After Racinet, Assyrian Ornament with Ancient Motifs and Symbols, 1869, Print

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Assyrian Ornament Print – Color Lithograph of Ancient Motifs and Symbols, c.1869 This visually captivating chromolithograph illustrates a diverse array … Read more Assyrian Ornament Print – Color Lithograph of Ancient Motifs and Symbols, c.1869 This visually captivating chromolithograph illustrates a diverse array of Assyrian ornamental designs, drawn from ancient Mesopotamian art and architecture. Plate IV from the seminal 19th-century series *L'Ornement Polychrome*, this print faithfully reproduces decorative elements used in Assyrian palaces, reliefs, and temples, offering insight into one of the world’s earliest and most influential civilizations. At the top of the composition, a majestic lion strides across a blue background, echoing the glazed brick reliefs found in royal Assyrian structures. To its right, a pair of winged genii flank a radiant solar disc, symbolizing divine protection and cosmic order. Below, the layout features a complex and harmonious mixture of floral motifs, geometric patterns, symbolic figures, rosettes, and the stylized Tree of Life—an important spiritual symbol in Mesopotamian religion, representing divine wisdom, fertility, and the axis between heaven and earth. The precise detailing and vibrant palette of blue, red, ochre, and green reflect the colors once used in ancient Assyrian polychrome tilework and wall paintings. This plate, produced around 1869 in Paris by the renowned printing house Firmin-Didot, was part of a larger effort led by designer and historian Albert-Charles-Auguste Racinet to document and preserve world ornamental traditions for artists, scholars, and decorative arts professionals. The print was created using the chromolithographic technique, a method that allowed for exact layering of vivid colors and fine line work. It represents not only a work of historical scholarship but also a decorative object in its own right, admired for its symmetry, stylization, and elegance—features that influenced the aesthetics of both the Arts and Crafts and Art Deco movements in later decades. Condition: Excellent overall condition. Clean, strong paper with sharp impression. Colors remain vibrant. Slight toning in margins and a few faint foxing marks along the border. No tears or repairs. Framing tips: Best suited to a warm-toned wood frame such as walnut or cherry, with a cream or parchment-colored mount to emphasize the antiquity and rich colors of the design. A museum-style mat with a wide border would further elevate the visual impact. Technique: Chromolithograph Maker: Firmin-Didot, Paris, after A. Racinet, c.1869 See less