Ornament for Knife Handle

Ornament for Knife Handle

Theodor de Bry

1563

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From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a detailed black-and-white design for a knife handle. The centerpiece is a tall, ornate pillar with a crown-like top, surrounded by swirling vines and small faces. On either side of the pillar are two vertical panels with more intricate patterns and Latin text. The whole design looks like it’s carved into metal. The knife handle’s design mixes fancy shapes with tiny scenes, like a busy forest or a group of people. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and depth, making it look three-dimensional. If you like this style, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.

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