Book dossier

Decorative patterns of the ancient world

by W. M. Flinders Petrie

The purpose of this collection is historical, and any interests that it may claim by racial characters or charms of form are only by the way. It stands as a first outline of an index to all the decorative imaginings of man. The subject is countless, and to wait for completion would bar any useful result. The beginning of an arrangement of the matter will serve for sorting new material into a form in which it can be compared, registered and consulted. Examples are mythical animals, florals, rosettes, religious and secular symbols, more.