FOBO - Ornamental Alphabets, Ancient and Mediæval (page 8/10)

[picture: 53.5.---Cross With Unkempt Hair]

This might be a symbol representing a crown, with the crosses implying rule over a spirtual realm but with temporal power, such as an abbot or bishop. I don’t know what the hairstyle is about. Maybe it’s just a totally gothic cross. Or more likely [...] [more...]

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53.6.—Cross with Circle

Perhaps the circle represents the world, the inner signs the four nails used to crucify the naked Jesus, the outer branches of the cross with the fleurons representing the religion itself. This would make it a variation of the symbol for evangelists, perhaps [...] [more...]

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53.7.—Clubs On Legs

Possibly an architectural cross seen at the top of an arch. [more...]

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53.8.—IHS

The monogram IHS comes from the Greek for Jesus, IHESUS, or from the Latin Ihesus Hominum Salvator, which is, Jesus, saviour of Mankind (Jesus was the name of a religious person). A modern interpretation is In His Service. [more...]

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53.9.—Gothic Cross

A cross between a cross and the ace of clubs, or perhaps clover leaves. This is called a ‘budded cross’, and in heraldry a ‘treflee cross’, ‘trefoil cross’, ‘bontonee cross’ or bottony cross’. [more...]

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53.10.—Ornamental vine leaves

A vine-leaf that might be used as a printer’s ornament or fleuron. [more...]

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53.11.—Four Quarters Cross

A cross with a centre divided into four quarters, perhaps representing the four Gospels, the four Evangelists who wrote them, or the four corners of the world. This cross might look well on a map as a compass rose to mark North, South East and West, but make [...] [more...]

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53.12.—Small Bush

A small decorative floral ornament.

This image is taken from plate 53.

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53.13.—Floret

A small decorative ornament, wither a printer’s ornament or taken from an illuminated manuscript or carving. [more...]

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53.14.—Acorn

Acorn ornament

This image is taken from plate 53.

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53.15.—Floret

A small floret or ornament.

This image is taken from plate 53.

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53.16.—IHS

The monogram IHS comes from the Greek for Jesus, IHESUS, or from the Latin Ihesus Hominum Salvator, which is, Jesus, saviour of Mankind (Jesus was the name of a religious person). A modern interpretation is In His Service. [more...]

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