PICTURE FRAMING MAGAZINE Ornamentation In Frame Design

Anthemion with
bead and reel on
an ogee from a
mausoleum at
Halicarnassus, c.
350 B.C.
Anthemion and
acanthus: a frieze
of an alternating
acanthus and
anthemion leaf,
c. 3rd century, B.C.
GREEK
A Greek vase from a design in Athens
in the 6th century B.C. Attic blackcolored
vessels often contain ornaments
which reflect the architectural details.
The ornaments on this design are prototypical
of frame designs in the Renaissance.
There is dentil work at the base,
surmounted by a pattern based on a
double-guilloche with an anthemion in
the center, most likely derived from
patterns of weaving from antquity.
Above that is a chrysanthemum, flanked
by anthemion, stylized egg-and-dart,
and Greek key.
Greek key example from
the Isle of Delos, used as
a pattern for Greek vases
and friezes in architectural
ornamentation.
Bead and reel shown
on an ancient series
of running ornaments
that consists of bead
and reel; from classic
Greek architecture.
February 2004