Six designs for capitals.
1875-1890
Imagine a 19th-century Pinterest board for architects—that's essentially what this plate, labeled 'Pl. 40' and bearing the name J. A. Du Cerceau, represents. It showcases six fantastical designs for column capitals, featuring everything from facing birds and floral masks to chubby cherubs wrestling with acanthus leaves. While the provided context links it to the Baroque master André-Charles Boulle, the visible text points to the famous Renaissance architect Du Cerceau, suggesting this 1875-1890 print by Paris publisher Rapilly is a later revival of classic ornamental styles. These intricate drawings served as essential pattern books, allowing craftsmen to copy lavish details and bring historical grandeur to new buildings.
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