Each nation and culture has its own ornament, sometimes even several. The motives of which the ornament consists can be very different. The motive is the main, repeating element of the ornament.
Instructions
Step 1
Ornaments are subdivided by type and style into graphic, pictorial, sculptural, floral, geometric. Ornamental motives can be taken from a wide variety of areas: from geometry, flora and fauna. These can be outlines of human bodies and any objects. The motive of the ornament can consist of one element or of many, designed as a whole. Craftsmen themselves create ornamental motives for their works. Combinations of ornaments with each other, as well as with the shape of the object and its material, form a decor characteristic of a particular style.
Step 2
Ornament is classified according to its origin, purpose and content. Thanks to the ornament, the style of this or that work of art is determined.
The technical ornament arose as a result of human activity. Its motives can be found on the surface of clay objects made on a potter's wheel, in the drawing of tissue cells on a primitive loom, in spiral turns of a woven rope.
The symbolic type of ornament was common in Ancient Egypt and other countries of the East. His images are symbols or systems of symbols.
The combination of technical and symbolic ornament was called geometric. The variants of the images in it are more complex, but devoid of plot significance. The rejection of the plot made possible the alternation of individual natural motives, and the development of geometric forms in it is distinguished by a special variety and grace. There are many geometric ornaments in Arabic and Gothic art.
Step 3
The most widespread ornament can be considered a vegetable one. Its characteristic motives differ in different countries, but the same plant parts are always used: leaves, flowers, fruits, all together or separately. The original form of a plant is often stylized beyond recognition. The most common plant forms are almost the same throughout the world: lotus, ivy, laurel, grapevine, papyrus, palm trees, oak.
Calligraphic or epigraphic ornament consists of letters or stylized fragments of text. Calligraphy was most developed in China, Japan, Iran and other Arab countries.
The fantastic ornament is based on images of nonexistent plants and animals. It was especially widespread in Egypt, China, India, Assyria. In connection with religious prohibitions in the Middle Ages, it gained particular popularity.
Step 4
Astral ornament got its name from the word "astra", which means "star". Depicts the sky, clouds, sun, stars. Distributed in China and Japan.
The main motives of landscape ornament are mountains, rocks, trees, waterfalls. Interspersed with architectural and animal forms are not uncommon. It is also common in China and Japan.
Animal ornament is based on the image of animals and birds, conventional or realistic. Borders and intermixes with the fantastic.
Object ornament originated in ancient Rome, and was widely used in all subsequent eras. The content is made up of household items, military heraldry, attributes of musical and theatrical art.