A monogram is a single symbol made up of one or more letters. Every aspect of an individual’s taste and fancy can be accommodated with a monogram. Monograms differ significantly, and there is of a great variety of designs. There are so many different types and combinations of the same letters that no two persons with the same initials must have the same monogram. Almost endless differences may be attained if treated to a fertile imagination. There should be order, balance, and symmetry in a monogram, in short, unity. A real monogram should be, as far as possible be the continuation of one line, which is found in those that are more pleasing to the eye.
The first letter of the name should be given the most prominent place, and this should be achieved without sacrificing unity or symmetry. To augment the importance of the central letter, an increasing and decreasing progression should guide the eye.
The family letter should occupy the centre and be as conspicuous as possible. It should strike the eye before and more so than all other letters. Monograms on note papers should be simple and if possible, be the tracing of a single line.
The family letter should occupy the centre and be as conspicuous as possible. It should strike the eye before and more so than all other letters. Monograms on note papers should be simple and, if possible, be the tracing of a single line.
In the nineteenth century, a monogram was important for a young bride to have the initials of her new husband embroidered on her bridal dress. The monogram is also used to give a distinctive finish to bed linens, a sheet set and your table linens that old-world look.
More Design Terms – Dictionary
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Maiolica tin-glazed earthenware, a product of the Renaissance
Maiolica is a tin-glazed earthenware that was produced during the Renaissance in Italy. The name comes from Majorca, the island from which, in the 15th century, a lot of Hispano-Moresque tin-glazed pottery was brought into Italy. The technique of covering with a tin glaze earthenware was similar to that used elsewhere in Europe for delftware…
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Gesamtkunstwerk – Complete Art Work
Gesamtkunstwerk is a 19th-century German concept that unifies various art forms into a single work. Richard Wagner popularized it through his opera cycle “The Ring of the Nibelung,”Read More →
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Suprematism Russian abstract art & design style
Suprematism, a non-objective art style, was developed by Kasimir Malevich in 1915. It replaced conventional obsession with human face and natural objects with modern symbols. Influenced by artists like El Lissitzky, Suprematism influenced the Bauhaus school and the Constructivist movement in Russia.Read More →
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The Art of Kakemono: The Elegance of Japanese Hanging Scrolls
Through the lens of Kakemono, we not only appreciate Japanese artistry but also understand the underpinnings of the culture that has given birth to it. The fluidity and grace of these hanging scrolls stand testament to the rich tapestry of Japan’s historical and artistic legacy.Read More →
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Cameo Incrustation: The Art of Porcelain and Glass through Time
The evolution of Cameo Incrustation, from its French origins to its British transformation and the ongoing legacy at Ford’s Edinburgh Glasshouse. This timeless art form, beautifully encapsulating the essence of historical figures and other subjects, continues to captivate art enthusiasts around the world.Read More →
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Glasgow School – Art & Design Term
“Glasgow School’ is a term used to describe several groups of artists based in Glasgow. The first and most significant of these groups was a loose association of artists active from around 1880 to the turn of the century; there was no formal membership or programme, but the artists involved (who prefered to be known…
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Biomorphism: A Fusion of Nature and Design
Biomorphism is an artistic and design movement that incorporates natural forms for decorative purposes. It emerged in the early 20th century and features swirling motifs and elongated vegetal shapes. The style faded but resurged in the 1940s. Influential figures like Saarinen and Mollino promoted biomorphism. It continues to inspire designers, bridging nature and design.Read More…
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Chromium: Transforming the Decorative and Applied Arts for Over 150 Years
Chromium has been a game-changer in the decorative and applied arts for over 150 years. This versatile metal, known for its lustrous appearance, has revolutionized design in various mediums. From furniture and automobiles to ceramics and gemstones, chromium’s impact is undeniable. Its reflective properties and corrosion resistance make it ideal for creating striking metallic finishes.…
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Unveiling the Beauty of Silvered Glass: A Historic Technique with a Modern Twist
Silvered glass, a historic technique dating back to the mid-19th century, revolutionized the industry by creating double-walled glass objects with a silver nitrate solution inserted between layers. The technique gained momentum when patented by William Leighton in 1855, and has since been adopted by Belgian, French, English, and Italian firms. Etching and colored coatings have…
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Slipware Pottery – what is it?
Slipware is pottery known by its primary decorating method in which slip is added before firing by dipping, painting or splashing on the leather-hard clay body surface. Slip is an aqueous clay body suspension that is a combination of clays and other minerals, such as quartz, feldspar, and mica.Read More →
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Japonisme – a French interpretation of a Japanese aesthetic
A French term used to describe a variety of European borrowings from Japanese art was Japonisme. With the opening of trade with Japan following the expedition of the American Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853. The interest in Japanese art in the West, particularly in France, had started to develop. The artist Félix Bracquemond, a friend…
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Neon Lighting – Dictionary – Design Term
Neon Lighting. Semiflexible, hollow tubes of clear acrylic with small bulbs inside that can be connected to light up all at once or sequentially to produce a “chasing” effect. It’s also known as disco lighting, and it’s given homeowners new illumination alternatives. Lights designers consider neon lighting to be an art form.Read More →
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Affichiste French for Poster Designer
Affichiste. Name (literally ‘poster designer’) taken by the French artists and photographers Raymond Hains (1926-) and Jacques de la Villeglé (1926-), who met in 1949 and created a technique to create collages from pieces of torn-down posters during the early 1950s. These works, which they displayed for the first time in 1957, were called affiches…
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Shaker Style of Furniture – Simplicity and Functionality
The Shaker furniture style is characterised by simplicity and functionality, made from high-quality materials and features clean lines and minimal ornamentation. It fell out of favour in the early twentieth century but is now appreciated for its timeless elegance and practicality.Read More →
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Jenny Lind Style of Furniture
Jenny Lind Style is an American term for spool furniture, characterised by intricately turned spindles and ornate carvings. It fell out of fashion in the early 20th century, but some antique collectors still appreciate its beauty and craftsmanship.Read More →
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Lithography Don’t Show the Trick, Show the MAGIC
A method of printing from a design drawn directly on a slab of stone or other suitable material. The design is not raised in relief as in woodcut or incised as in line engraving, but drawn on a smooth printing surface. Initially, this surface was provided with a slab of unique limestone, but metal (usually…
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Regency Tankard – Intricate Low Relief
Regency tankards were made in England during the Regency, 1811-20, with intricate low-relief figures adorning both the body and handle, often depicting scenes from mythology or history. They are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts as they represent a unique piece of history and artistry.Read More →
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What is Wrought Iron?
The term “wrought iron” refers to the material rather than the products made of iron. Modern mild steel has supplanted wrought iron, a forgeable ferrous material used up until about the middle of the twentieth century. Because of the extensive forming required during its production—under power hammers and through rollers—it was originally referred to as…
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Brandewijnskom – brandy bowls for birth ceremonies
Brandewijnskom. Brandy bowls were made in Holland and Friesland in the 17th and 18th centuries.Read More →
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Jardiniere Ornamental Stand Definition and Meaning
A jardinière is a large ornamental stand or holder to display potted plants or cut flowers. The jardinière first appearedRead More →
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Fibreglass exciting early design medium – Encyclopedia of Design
Known as glass-enhanced plastic (GRP) in Britain, fibre-enhanced plastic (FRP) in the USA or by the trade name fibreglass (after the manufacturer Fibreglass Ltd.), GRP has been used for a wide range of applications from car body panels and boat hulls to furniture and tennis rackets.
Adhocism – an idea of improvisation – Encyclopedia of Design
‘Adhocism’ ideas were coined in their book Adhocism: The Case for Improvisation by architect, theoretician, former Designer Charles Jencks and Nathan Silver (1972). They considered how designers could take immediate action in ways that had never been imagined in their original design by using readily available components.