Typographic Ornaments (page 1/2)

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stock block: Terrier woodcut

This woodcut of a Scottish cairn terrier, or similar dog, is an example of a stock block (or stock cut): an illustraiton sold to printers on a stereotyped copy of [...] [more...] [$]

stock block: scales, or equal-arm balance.

In an equal arm balance like this one you can compare the weights of things in the two pans; often you use a set of standardized weights in one pan and add them until the lever at the top is level, [...] [more...] [$]

Index, manicule, or pointing hand

Drawings of hands, often with arms attached, were added to mediæval manuscripts by people who used them; the hands were used to draw attention to particular passages of interest. [more...] [$]

stock block: Young male servant carrying a boar’s head

This young man carries a platter of food: a roasted pig’s head with fruit or vegetables around it, on a platter. He wears a ruff round his neck, a tunic over a long-sleeved shirt, and simple shoes; presumably he also wears hose, or tights. He carries the platter level with his face. The [more...] [$]

Stock block: two dancing harlequins

This vintage art pair of jesters are two men dressed as harlequins, or clowns; the one on the left has a hat with bells on it and carries a punch-and-judy style stick with a head on the end; the one on the right wears a devil costume on his head and has a wide ruff or collar [...] [more...] [$]