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A Compleat Collection of English Proverbs (page 3/3)

[picture: Tailpiece with Fisherman]

Tailpiece with Fisherman

This elaborate frame, surmounted by a basket of flowers, was used to mark the end of a chapter in the printed book. [more...] [$]

[picture: Chapter head with musical instruments]

Chapter head with musical instruments

Chapter headpieces like this were very popular in the eighteenth century; they remained in widespread use into the early 20th century as a low-cost way to make a book appear more expensive than it really was. There was quite a market in the engraved printing-blocks such as the [...] [more...] [$]

[picture: Initial Letter T With Angels and Devil]

Initial Letter T With Angels and Devil

The two winged creatures in this decorative initial letter T are very definitely female and probably intended to be naked. They seem to have fish’s tails rather than legs and feet, so maybe they are Angels of Mermaids? Or just winged mermaids? Or they might be intended to be emenating from the ears of the face below, and be regular angels. The horned [...] [more...] [$]


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