Plate 15 from Cahier d ornements et frises dessinés (Book of Ornaments and Friezes)
Medium
ornament
Classification
ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-42-6
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Henri Sallembier, a French ornamental draftsman active during the late 18 century (ca. 3–1820), created *Plate 15 from Cahier d'orn et frises dessinés in 1777. This work is part of a specialized book of meticulously drawn ornaments and friezes, designed as a reference for architects, decorators, and craftsmen. Produced amid the opulent yet transitioning styles of pre-Revolutionary France, it exemplifies the era's fascination with intricate decorative motifs, bridging Rococo elegance and emerging Neoclassicism. As a printed plate classified as an "ornament," this piece served a practical purpo...