The Grammar of Ornament by Owen Jones: Single-Sided Edition for Art & Craft Projects - Includes All 114 Plates - 7x10 Large Print Format ... Designs & Traditional Artistic Patterns) Paperback – Large Print, January 7, 2026

Owen Jones (1809–1874) was one of the most influential design theorists, architects, and historians of ornament of the nineteenth century. In response to the aesthetic crisis brought about by the Industrial Revolution, he sought to identify the universal principles of decoration, examining color, rhythm, symmetry, and abstraction through a comparative, cross-cultural lens. First published in 1856, The Grammar of Ornament transformed the study of ornament from a descriptive survey into a systematic visual language. Drawing from a wide range of civilizations—including Ancient Egyptian, Assyrian, Persian, Islamic, Byzantine, Chinese, Indian, Medieval, and Renaissance traditions—the book presents its core ideas through 114 plates that allow ornament to be studied side by side. The work profoundly influenced William Morris, the Arts & Crafts movement, Art Nouveau, and the foundations of modern graphic and decorative design, and it remains a cornerstone of design education today.This special edition focuses exclusively on the visual heart of The Grammar of Ornament: the complete set of 114 iconic plates, prepared as a production- and practice-oriented publication rather than a theoretical text. Each plate has been carefully restored to address age-related discoloration, stains, fading, and printing imperfections found in historical copies. Throughout the restoration process, the original line quality of the designs has been preserved, while colors have been rebalanced in accordance with Owen Jones’s historically defined palettes. The result is a clean, faithful, and high-resolution presentation that respects the integrity of the original work while meeting contemporary printing standards.Designed with intentional flexibility, every plate in this edition is printed with a completely blank reverse side, transforming the book from a passive collection into a versatile art & craft resource. Pages can be cut and used as posters, framed artworks, or wall panels; the blank backs invite tracing, drawing, pattern analysis, and imitation painting; and individual sheets can be incorporated directly into scrapbooking, collage, and mixed-media projects. At the same time, the richness and variety of the ornament make the book ideal as a coffee table volume for studios, waiting rooms, and living spaces, where it functions as both an object of reference and visual inspiration.Printed in a 7 × 10 inch large format, the plates retain fine decorative detail while remaining practical for hands-on use, framing, and creative experimentation. This edition is intended for designers, art and design students, ornament researchers, interior designers, illustrators, and makers who work with their hands. More than a book to be read, it is an active creative tool—placing the universal ornamental knowledge of the past directly into the hands of contemporary creators. Read more