Little remains of the decorative ceramic tiles that once paved the floors of medieval churches and cathedrals. Abraded by time and use, stolen by collectors, or covered by new flooring, these handsome ornamental paving stones (also known as "encaustic tiles") have become rarities. This practical, inexpensive, and comprehensive archive — originally published in the mid-19th century — has preserved many of those ancient designs for future generations. It represents an invaluable source of design inspiration for permission-free use by today's artists and craftspeople. Adapted largely from tile motifs that once adorned English churches in Winchester, St. Cross, Romsey, and Warblington, 146 handsome images display a host of characteristically medieval patterns — crosses, churches, fleur-de-lis, stylized plant forms, mythological creatures, stars, abstract and geometric figures, and other authentic elements. These rich and evocative designs can be used to enhance a host of art and craft projects: wood burning, leathercraft, and stained glass work; fabric painting, ceramics, enameling, stenciling, or any other project calling for unique and powerful attention-getters.

The Haynes Medieval Castle Manual explores the background story to castle construction in Medieval Europe, showing that castles had both a domestic and defensive function. It uses the 'new' medieval castle-building project at Guédelon in Burgundy as the centerpiece for the book, examining the construction and anatomy of these awe-inspiring structures, section by section. Life inside the castle walls is explored, from the perspectives of the lowliest servants to the mighty lords and all those ranks in between. Ordinary daily routines to how a castle’s inhabitants would have been fed and watered and the building itself heated and furnished are also covered. When it came to survival in times of unrest, the castle presented would-be assailants with a formidable array of defensive measures, some of which were truly frightening in their ability to inflict injury and death. 

The "bell tolls for thee" in this functional work of cast iron art so reminiscent of the Gothic dragon sculptures commonly seen gracing Florentine homes. From its wide wings to stylized serpent body, our medieval masterpiece dragon sculpture extends over 6 inches from the wall to allow Renaissance ringers to summon friends and family to garden or kitchen with this bit of collectible nostalgia. Makes an enviable housewarming gift for dragon lovers and travelers alike! 7"Wx6"Dx12"H. 3 lb.

J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings has long been acknowledged as the gold standard for fantasy fiction, and the recent Oscar-winning movie trilogy has brought forth a whole new generation of fans. Many Tolkien enthusiasts, however, are not aware of the profoundly religious dimension of the great Ring saga. In The Battle for Middle-earth Fleming Rutledge employs a distinctive technique to uncover the theological currents that lie just under the surface of Tolkien's epic tale. Rutledge believes that the best way to understand this powerful "deep narrative" is to examine the story as it unfolds, preserving some of its original dramatic tension. This deep narrative has not previously been sufficiently analyzed or celebrated. Writing as an enthusiastic but careful reader, Rutledge draws on Tolkien's extensive correspondence to show how biblical and liturgical motifs shape the action. At the heart of the plot lies a rare glimpse of what human freedom really means within the Divine Plan of God. The Battle for Middle-earth surely will, as Rutledge hopes, "give pleasure to those who may already have detected the presence of the sub-narrative, and insight to those who may have missed... [Read More]

The Roman Vergil (or 'Codex Romanus', so named by Valeriano in 1521) is one of the most precious manuscripts in the Vatican Library. Produced in Rome before the end of the 5th century AD, it is a finely designed and beautifully illuminated copy of the works of Vergil. Its influence on the development of medieval manuscript art is important in many ways; for example, the first page of the text of the Aeneid is the earliest known decorated 'incipit' page.All twenty illuminated pages will be reproduced in sequence, with explanatory text. In the accompanying commentary, Professor Wright provides a wide-ranging discussion of the place of the manuscript in the history of art and of book design, illustrated with comparative material from other manuscripts, mosaics, and ivories, along with an analysis of the script and letter forms.Aimed at a general audience of lovers of manuscripts and classical art and culture, this is the fascinating story of a 1500 year-old manuscript, interpreted by its leading scholar.

From the costly velvets and furs worn by kings to the undyed wools and rough linens of the peasantry, the clothing worn by the various classes in the Middle Ages played an integral role in medieval society. In addition to providing clues to status, profession, and/or geographic origin, textiles were a crucial element in the economies of many countries and cities.   Much of what is known about medieval fashion is gleaned from the pages of manuscripts, which serve as a rich source of imagery. This volume provides a detailed look at both the actual fabrics and composition of medieval clothing as well as the period’s attitude toward fashion through an exploration of illuminated manuscripts in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum. The last portion of the book is dedicated to the depiction of clothing in biblical times and the ancient world as seen through a medieval lens. Throughout, excerpts from literary sources of the period help shed light on the perceived role and function of fashion in daily life.  

Hundreds of years ago, warriors identified themselves in battle by using certain colors and symbols on their shields. Later, these distinguishing marks also appeared on surcoats worn over armor. Thus, the term "coat of arms" was born.Now, with genealogist Rosemary Chorzempa's fascinating new book, anyone interested in the ancient and distinctive language of heraldry can create his or her own coat of arms. This easy-to-read, profusely illustrated guide to the history, symbolism, and construction of heraldic devices allows even a child to fashion authentic designs.Step-by-step directions tell how to trace the shape of the shield and its divisions and how to select symbols that reflect personal origins, traits, and achievements. (Forty-seven illustrations include human forms and manmade objects such as forearms, helmets, crowns, whips, books, crosses, bells, and much more. Celestial, plant, and animal shapes include suns, roses, trees, eagles, bars, dolphins, dragons, and serpents.) You'll find tips on necessary materials, how to color and outline your design, how to achieve professional results, and even how to register your coat of arms. You'll also find sample coats of arms belongi... [Read More]

Artists, illustrators, designers, and craftspeople in search of exceptionally bold and inventive motifs will find them in this versatile treasury brimming with 125 royalty-free designs. Taken from authentic Celtic and Old Norse sources, they include an amazing array of birds, human figures, and mythological creatures, all ingeniously woven into an intricate network of spirals and interlacings.Meticulously adapted from artwork that graced ancient rune stones and religious symbols, furniture, manuscripts, bronze mirrors, sword hilts, cooking utensils, and other artifacts, the illustrations depict a crucifix; decorative creatures that adorned the pages of the Lindisfarne Gospels; interwoven designs from stone crosses of Ireland, Scotland, and Cornwall; and many other designs and motifs.Convenient and inexpensive, this collection offers inspiration and a wealth of immediately usable dramatic ornamentation rich in character and distinctive in content.

Imagine several of our jewel-toned pendant lanterns lighting your hallway or lending a romantic glow to an intimate space. With richly ornate, bronze-hued, fleur-de-lis filigree ornamentation and amber glass for protecting the flame of your candle, our functional works of decorative wall art are sure to leave your guests impressed! Pillar candle not included. 7"dia. x19"H. 5 lbs.

In Castle Builders, Malcolm Hislop looks at the hugely popular subject of castles from the unusual perspective of design and construction. In this general introduction to the subject, we discover something of the personalities behind their creation - the architects and craftsmen - and, furthermore, the techniques they employed, and how style and technology was disseminated. Castle Builders takes both a thematic and a chronological approach to the design and construction of castles, providing the reader with clear lines of development. Themes include earth, timber and stone construction techniques, the evolution of the great tower, the development of military engineering, the progression of domestic accommodation, and the degree to which aesthetics contributed to castle design.

With a face this fierce, who will be the last man standing? Few dare approach our loyal castle guard gargoyle statue whose menacingly sharp claws and spiny wings are only overshadowed by the frightening face echoed in his talisman shield.Our Design Toscano exclusive is cast in designer resin atop a Celtic knot base. 4.5"Wx4.5"Dx6.5"H. 1

Fabric Tapestry Wall Hanging 100% Polyester Cloth Material Fabric Tapestry with digital printing. Printed by state of the art digital printing technology. No color fading in time. Non Vinyl, Non Peva. High Quality Turkish Made Silky Satin Fabric. Machine Washable. Environmentally friendly, no dye substance harming health of your family. Mold and mildew resistant. Adds great perspective that completely changes the look of your room. Vibrant colors. Clear Image. A designer artwork. Not a common usual tapestry you can find anywhere.Unique. Genuine. FUN. Matches well with various color palates of rugs, curtains and any other home decor accessories. A mini home

The bravery and strength reflected in the lion-emblazoned crest heralding England and Scotland during the Middle Ages is celebrated in this quality designer resin Toscano exclusive. Especially impressive in pairs, whether flanking a fireplace or entryway, the crowned king of beasts is hand-painted in antique gold and ancient green. 7"Wx2.5"Dx14.5"H. 2