The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-05

ribbons of color in symmetrical designs
weres used to form the letters. and some
times covered the entire page To these
were added circular ornaments filed with
delicate spiral lines springing from
centre. or wheels anG eccentric convolu-
lions of Colored lines or ribbons. Diago-
nal and straight lines were also occa-
sionally introduced, and the whole was
stu further ornamented by the introduce
ton of the figures of birds and animals
in lavish profusion, coiled throughout the
interlacings and convolutions in general
harmony with the design. The Book of
kells, of the seventh century. preserved
at Trinity College. Dublin is a beautiful
specimen of this style. the human figure
being also introduced in it. This method
Of decoration was introduced by the Irish
missionaries into England, and thence
spread to the continent of Europe. The
first improvement upon the Irish original
began in England in the tenth century,
WHEEL the architectural designs OF the
time, species of rude and angular foil
fury the English style became very eiab-
crate and splendid. During this and the
following century FURNISHED gold, scarlet,
and blue We're largely used
In the fourteenth century the plain gold
and heavy colored backgrounds were
abandoned for rich checkered patterns
and the large masses of FURNISHED metal
We're either broken into minute patterns
or superseded by variegated color The
foliage also used in the previous century
TO decorate the capital letters was COM
D'Nu 'htp Stdceiui WredlnS, WnlCn 1Orn-
ed ornamental brackets, or encircIed the
whole page with charming border of
flowers of every variety and delicate
color.
An exquisite specimen of this sort is
to be seen in the Richardson collection.
the border which encircles the entire
page being composed of representations
of roses and other flowers, in which the
light purpltsh predecessor of the modern
carnation is prominent
In the fifteenth century the style be-
came very gaudy. with flowers, fruit and
foliage; the strictly symbolic forms were
abandoned for landscapes and figures
which were introduced abundantly into
the mipiatureS. and the borders became
more regular. serving as a framework for
the central Inquire. The marginal orna-
ments of the specimens of this time are
square and regular. with a groundwork
Of gold, covered with high-colored Scrolls
and leaves of red. blue. and green. To
the Italian examples this description APP
phes only 10 limited extent. for basing
Its style of illumination upon that of By
zantium- ii gradually infused into it,
without any marked period of transition,
a national and more graceful style. The
following indications have been pointed
out, by which the age of manuscripts may
be determined:
In the fourth. fifth. and sixth centuries.
the ornamentation limited to red or
gilded letters belonging to the text; in the
seventh, eighth. and ninth. the introduce
ton and perfection of the Irish style: in
the tenth. eleventh. and twelfth the pre-
valence of architectural forms; in the
thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth. foil
age, at first architectural, bat gradually
more realistic; while in miniatures the
tenth OF checkered backgrounds, and
the fifteenth of landSCaDe