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Collections

Unknown
Various Ornamental Letters16th century

Not on view
Woodcut print of a decorative initial letter C enclosing two nude infant figures, surrounded by leafy vines and hanging ornaments on a black background
Woodcut initial letter D with dense black ground, filled with a reclining leonine figure bearing a human face amid scrolling foliage and floral ornament at the borders.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I on dark ground, flanked by two symmetrical hybrid creatures with human faces and scaly serpentine bodies, surrounded by scrolling foliage and five-petaled flowers, with fine hatched detail.
Woodcut decorated initial letter Q; within the circular counter of the letter, a robed figure kneels holding arrows, surrounded by billowing drapery; floral ornaments and scrolling foliage fill the dark background corners, rendered in fine parallel hatching.
Woodcut historiated initial letter C enclosing two nude figures — a reclining adult and a small child — surrounded by grotesque foliate ornament with pendant flowers and candelabra motifs in the corners, fine hatching throughout.
Woodcut printed initial letter D on black ground, enclosing a coiled lion with a human-like face amid foliage; border decorated with scrolling vines, grapes, and floral motifs.
Woodcut initial letter I on dark crosshatched ground, flanked by two symmetrical winged lion-like creatures amid scrolling acanthus foliage and open five-petaled flowers, within a ruled border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter O, enclosing a bearded figure clutching a trident amid swirling drapery, with floral ornaments and scrollwork in the black corners.
Woodcut initial letter C with two figures—a reclining nude adult and a small child—enclosed within the circular letterform, set against a dark crosshatched background with foliage and decorative grotesque elements in the corners.
Engraved decorative initial letter D with fine hatching on a stippled ground; a wild man figure with flowing hair and beard crouches within the letter's counter, surrounded by scrolling foliage and floral ornament on all sides.
Woodcut decorated initial letter I with fine cross-hatched dark background, flanked by two symmetrical grotesque figures amid scrolling acanthus foliage and five-petaled flowers.
Woodcut initial letter O enclosing a seated putto playing a wind instrument, surrounded by foliage and small figures in the corners, rendered with fine parallel hatching.
Engraving of an ornamental letter C enclosing two nude figures reclining together amid foliage, surrounded by grotesque decorative motifs with hanging floral pendants on a dark hatched background.
Woodcut or engraved decorative initial letter I on a dark stippled ground, flanked symmetrically by grotesque creatures and scrolling acanthus foliage with five-petaled flowers, fine hatched linework throughout.
Print or engraving of a decorative pouch or saddlebag with dense foliate scrollwork; central oval panel contains two confronting birds among intertwining vines, with curled hook attachments at top.
Printed woodcut or engraving of an ornate historiated initial letter, densely filled with interlacing acanthus scrolls, foliage, and birds against a dark background, printed in black ink on pale paper.
Woodcut printer's device or ornament in circular format, densely filled with interlaced foliage and acanthus scrollwork surrounding a central monogram, printed in black on cream paper.
Black and white print of a powder flask or pouch-shaped object, densely decorated with engraved scrolling acanthus foliage, birds, and a diamond lattice motif, divided into horizontal registers by curved bands.
Woodcut or letterpress printed decorative initial, dark ground filled with dense interlacing acanthus scrollwork, flowers, and a bird figure, with fine white-line engraving technique.
Woodcut printed initial letter densely filled with interlacing acanthus scrollwork and two birds amid foliage, black ink on cream paper.
Woodcut or engraving of a circular ornamental medallion filled with dense interlaced foliage, acanthus scrolls, and a central monogram, with two confronted birds at the top and ribbon swags at the base.
Print or engraving of a decorative pouch or saddlebag with dense black interlace ornament; the rounded body features intertwined foliage, birds, and a fish amid scrolling vines, framed by a foliate border at the top and two small scroll hooks at the upper corners.
Woodcut or letterpress printed decorative initial letter, densely filled with interlacing acanthus foliage, birds, and floral motifs in dark ink on pale ground.
Engraving or woodcut of a decorative shield or escutcheon form, densely filled with interlacing acanthus scrollwork, foliage, and small birds in black and white, with a monogram at lower left.
Print or engraving of a rounded pouch or purse with two small scroll hooks at the top, densely covered in foliate scrollwork and bird figures in dark ink on pale ground.
Print or rubbing of a decorative pouch or bag with a rounded base and curved top, densely covered in interlacing foliage, birds, and scrollwork, with two small curled finials at the upper corners.
Woodcut initial letter 'A' flanked by two winged putti, one on each side, rendered with fine hatching lines within a square border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two chubby putti among grapevines and foliage, rendered with dense parallel hatching lines within a double-ruled border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter C enclosing a putto or child figure reclining among foliage and grasses, with dense hatched lines forming a landscape background.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two chubby putti among foliage and a cluster of grapes, rendered with fine hatched lines within a rectangular border.
Woodcut decorated initial letter C enclosing a chubby infant figure reclining among foliage, with fine parallel-line shading and a landscape background at right
Woodcut historiated initial letter A, flanked by two winged putti rendered in fine parallel hatching, with foliage in the background.
Woodcut historiated initial letter D enclosing a chubby child figure in partial clothing, one arm raised, surrounded by dense hatched foliage
Woodcut initial letter 'A' flanked by two winged putti amid foliage, rendered with fine parallel hatching lines in black and white.
Woodcut historiated initial letter D, with a bearded figure in period dress seated within the curved form of the letter, surrounded by foliage, rendered in fine parallel hatching lines
Woodcut historiated initial letter D, with a chubby nude putto seated within the letter's curved form, surrounded by foliage and hatched background, fine parallel line shading.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two nude putti carrying a horizontal pole hung with a bunch of grapes, set against foliage, with bold hatched line work.
Woodcut historiated initial letter D, with a putto or child figure standing within the curved counter of the letter, surrounded by foliage, rendered in fine parallel hatching lines.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two nude putti carrying a pole hung with a bunch of grapes, set against foliage and grain stalks, within a rectangular border
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two nude putti amid grapevines and foliage, rendered with fine hatched lines on a white ground, enclosed in a double-ruled border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter A, flanked by two winged putti with fine hatched linework, foliage at right, within a ruled border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two nude putti figures among grapevines and foliage, rendered with fine parallel hatching within a ruled border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter C enclosing a reclining nude putto amid grasses and foliage, with dense parallel-line hatching throughout; rocky and vegetal forms fill the border.
Woodcut initial letter C with a putto or infant figure seated inside the circular letterform, surrounded by foliage and a reclining animal, rendered in fine parallel hatching lines
Woodcut historiated initial letter D with a chubby, bearded putto figure seated within the letter's curved form, surrounded by foliage and a rooster at left, rendered in fine parallel hatching lines.
Woodcut historiated initial letter D enclosing a rotund male figure grasping the top of the letter, with dense hatched foliage filling the background.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two putti among grapevines and foliage, rendered in black ink with fine hatching on white paper, enclosed in a ruled border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two putti carrying a bunch of grapes on a pole, with foliage in the background, bold black lines with hatched shading
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'A' flanked by two winged putti with dense parallel-line hatching; foliage at right, a smaller figure crouching at lower left.
Woodcut printed initial letter C enclosing a putto reclining atop a large fish amid foliage, with hatched shading and a landscape background at right.
Woodcut historiated initial letter C, containing two putti reclining among foliage within the circular letterform, with hatched shading and a tree trunk at left.
Woodcut historiated initial letter D enclosing a chubby nude figure seated among foliage, rendered with fine parallel hatching lines within a rectangular border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter D enclosing a chubby nude child figure amid foliage, with dense parallel line hatching throughout.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two putti carrying a pole hung with a cluster of grapes, with foliage in the background, rendered in fine hatched lines within a rectangular border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two putti in profile amid grapevines and foliage, rendered with fine parallel hatching lines
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'A' flanked by two winged putti rendered in fine parallel hatching lines, with foliage at right, set within a square border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter C, with a nude putto reclining amid foliage within the letter's curve, set against a hatched landscape background with trees.
Woodcut initial letter C with a putto or infant figure nestled within the curve of the letter, surrounded by foliage and a landscape background, rendered in fine hatched lines.
Woodcut historiated initial letter D enclosing a chubby infant figure with one arm raised, surrounded by foliage, rendered in fine parallel hatching lines on cream paper.
Woodcut historiated initial letter D enclosing a bearded male figure with raised arm, seated atop an animal, with foliage and a bird visible in the background; dense parallel-line shading throughout.
Woodcut historiated initial letter V with fine hatching; a kneeling figure at left faces a robed, crowned figure enthroned at right, with architectural structures in the background, framed by a foliate border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter V with fine-line hatching; a kneeling figure at left faces a robed figure seated at an ornate lectern at right, with architectural background and a foliate border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter V with fine-line hatching; a kneeling robed figure on the left faces a seated dignitary at right attended by standing figures, with architectural structures in the background, surrounded by a foliate border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter V with foliate border; kneeling figures at left face a robed, crowned figure enthroned at right, with architectural ruins in the background, rendered in fine hatched lines.
Woodcut historiated initial letter V with fine-line hatching; a crowned or mitred figure seated on an ornate throne at right receives kneeling and standing figures at left, with architectural structures in the background, framed by a decorative foliate border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter N with fine-line hatching; a crowned figure seated on an ornate throne at right receives two kneeling or standing figures at left, with a classical architectural background; decorative foliate border surrounds the composition.
Woodcut print forming a decorative letter I, with two standing robed figures on the left panel and a kneeling figure among foliage on the right, enclosed in a scrolling foliate border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter P with robed figures in a landscape, architectural towers in the background, and a decorative knotwork border; fine hatched linework throughout.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'P' with decorative border; robed figures in a landscape with architecture, rendered in fine hatched lines
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'P' with a decorative vine border; robed figures in a landscape with architectural buildings in the background, rendered in fine hatched lines.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'P' with fine hatched linework; a robed, bearded figure holding a staff stands within the letter's form, while a group of figures in period dress congregates before a building at left; decorative rope-pattern border surrounds the composition.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'P' with fine-line hatching; a robed figure kneels at center, a bearded standing figure holds a staff at right, and a group of figures gestures before a turreted building at left; decorative vine border surrounds the square block.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'P' with a decorative leaf border. Within the letter, robed figures stand before a walled city or castle; a group of figures in medieval dress interact at left.
Woodcut historiated initial letter P with decorative vine border; a kneeling robed figure faces a standing elder with a staff at right, while a group of figures before architectural structures appears at left.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'P' with decorative border; two robed figures face each other in the foreground, a group of figures with spears visible to the left, and architectural structures in the background.
Woodcut historiated initial letter P with fine-line hatching; a robed figure kneels center, a standing figure holds a staff at right, and a crowd gathers before a building at left; decorative vine border surrounds the composition.
Woodcut historiated initial 'P' with fine hatching, robed figures and architectural structures integrated into the letterform, enclosed in a decorative foliate border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter P with fine hatching; a robed figure stands centrally within the letter, flanked by a crowd scene before buildings at left and trees at right; decorative vine border surrounds the square block.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'P' with fine hatching; a kneeling robed figure faces a standing bearded figure holding a staff, with a crowd scene before architectural ruins at left; foliate border surrounds the composition.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'I' framed by elaborate Renaissance grotesque ornament, with two putti flanking the vertical stroke amid scrolling acanthus foliage, candelabra, and a masked face at top center, printed in black ink on aged paper.
Woodcut or engraving of an ornate decorative initial letter M, with a winged putto at center flanked by two lion figures, acanthus scrollwork and a grotesque mask at the base, rendered in fine black lines on cream paper.
Woodcut historiated initial letter N with fine hatched linework; a winged creature perches at upper right while a figure reclines among foliage at lower left; ornamental border with interlaced rings, tassels, and scrolling acanthus.
Woodcut historiated initial letter R with elaborate acanthus scrollwork border; a nude male figure sits within the letter's counter, with two bearded male heads and a vase integrated into the ornamental design, printed in black ink on cream paper.
Woodcut decorative initial letter S, inhabited by a winged female figure at center top and a helmeted figure below, surrounded by foliage, fruit-bearing trees, rabbits, and scrolling acanthus ornament within a rectangular border.
Woodcut printer's ornament featuring a large decorative letter I flanked by two crouching figures amid dense scrolling acanthus foliage, with a cherub face at the top and hanging garlands, printed in black on cream paper.
Woodcut historiated initial letter N with fine black-and-white line work; a winged creature perches at upper center while a reclining figure with foliage occupies the lower foreground; decorative border features interlaced serpents, oval medallions, and pendant ornaments.
Woodcut or engraving of an ornate historiated initial letter R, filled with a standing draped figure and a second figure nestled in the counter, surrounded by scrolling acanthus leaves, grotesque masks, and an urn finial, printed in black ink on cream paper.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two reclining putti amid symmetrical scrolling acanthus foliage, candelabra, and pendant garlands, with a winged mask at the top center, printed in black on cream paper
Woodcut historiated initial letter N with ornamental border of scrollwork, tassels, and oval cartouches; two fantastical hybrid creatures with animal and human features inhabit the letter's negative space amid foliage.
Woodcut or engraving of an ornate decorated initial letter R, with a small nude figure leaning against the letterform, surrounded by acanthus scrollwork, a vase, and a bearded face in a roundel, printed on cream paper.
Woodcut decorated initial letter 'I' surrounded by grotesque ornament: two nude figures draped over scrolling acanthus foliage at center, flanked by candelabra with hanging garlands, and a winged cherub head at top center.
Woodcut decorated initial letter 'I' with symmetrical Renaissance grotesque ornament: two reclining figures with scrolling acanthus foliage below, flanking candelabra-style columns, with a mask face at the top center.
Woodcut ornamental initial letter 'I' with two draped figures flanking the vertical stroke, a cherub face at the top, and dense scrolling foliage, printed in black on aged cream paper
Woodcut historiated initial letter N with ornate border of intertwined serpents, tassels, and oval cartouches; interior scenes depict two figures and fantastical creatures amid foliage, with pendant jewels along the top.
Woodcut decorated initial letter N, framed by interlaced strapwork with pendant jewels; a lion and winged figure occupy the upper field, a reclining nude figure amid foliage fills the lower register.
Woodcut or engraved decorative initial letter N, with a winged creature at upper right and a reclining figure with an animal head among foliage at lower left, framed by ornamental scrollwork and pendant swags.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'A' in white against a black ground, surrounded by densely packed foliage scrolls and grotesque creatures within a square border.
Woodcut or letterpress printed decorative initial letter E, black on cream, with foliate scrollwork and two small birds in the negative space within the letterform.
Woodcut decorated initial letter F with a putto or child figure reclining among the letterform, surrounded by scrolling foliage ornament on the left border, rendered in black and white with fine hatched linework.
Woodcut printed initial letter 'I' flanked by two winged putti against a black background, with fine hatched line work.
Woodcut decorated initial letter C in black and white, with a winged putto seated at center playing a stringed instrument, surrounded by scrolling foliage and serpentine forms against a black background.
Woodcut historiated initial letter P in white on black ground, with a dragon or serpentine creature coiled within the counter of the letter, detailed with fine parallel hatching and foliate scrollwork at the base.
Woodcut or letterpress-printed decorative initial letter 'E' in black and cream, with scrolling acanthus foliage and floral motifs filling the interior negative spaces.
Woodcut or letterpress-printed decorative initial letter 'F' in black and white, with a putto or child figure reclining against the letter's vertical stroke, surrounded by scrolling foliage on the left border.
Woodcut printed initial letter I flanked by two winged putti with hatched shading on dark background, one on each side gesturing toward the central letterform.
Woodcut historiated initial letter Q with a seated figure holding an open book, surrounded by foliate scrollwork and fantastical creatures, rendered in fine cross-hatched lines on a dark ground.
Woodcut historiated initial letter P with a dragon or serpentine creature coiled within the bowl of the letter, set against a black hatched background with foliate scrollwork at lower right.
Woodcut or letterpress printed decorative initial letter E, black on cream ground, with foliate scrollwork, acanthus leaves, and a small bird within the counter spaces.
Woodcut decorated initial letter "I" flanked by two winged putti figures against a black hatched background, rendered in black and white with fine cross-hatched lines.
Woodcut or letterpress-printed historiated initial letter P in black and white, with a dragon or serpentine creature coiled within the bowl of the letter against a dark ground, surrounded by scrolling foliage.
Woodcut or letterpress-printed decorative initial letter E, white on black ground, surrounded by scrolling acanthus leaves and foliate ornament within a square border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter I, flanked by two winged putti figures against a black background, rendered in black and white with fine hatched lines
Woodcut initial letter 'P' on black ground, with a coiled dragon or serpent entwined around the letterform, detailed with fine hatched scales and foliate scrollwork at the lower border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter P on black ground, with a dragon or lizard-like creature coiled through the counter of the letter, detailed with fine hatched lines and foliate scrollwork at the base.
Woodcut historiated initial letter P in black and white, with a coiling serpentine creature filling the negative space of the letterform against a solid black background.
Woodcut or engraved decorative initial letter P in white against a black ground, with a coiled serpentine creature whose body weaves around the letterform, and foliate scroll ornament at lower right.
Engraving or woodcut print showing a series of twenty decorative capital letters arranged in three rows, each letter set within a square border and surrounded by dense floral, foliate, and figural ornament in black on white.
Woodcut or letterpress printed decorative initial letter A, white letterform on a stippled dark ground, with a crouching figure and foliage filling the triangular interior spaces, bordered by scrolling acanthus leaves and dotted ornament.
Woodcut initial letter C with a hare or rabbit figure holding a staff set against a stippled dark ground, surrounded by foliate scrollwork and flowers within a decorated square border.
Woodcut or engraved historiated initial letter C, white letterform on a stippled dark ground, filled with intertwining floral and leaf ornament within a square decorative border.
Engraved printer's ornament featuring a large capital letter M within a circular medallion, surrounded by dense floral and foliate decoration on a stippled dark ground, printed in black and white.
Woodcut or engraving of an ornate historiated initial letter D, filled with a flowering plant and dense stippled foliage against a dark dotted ground, with scrolling acanthus leaves along the border.
Woodcut or engraving of an ornamental historiated initial letter S, with fine cross-hatching on the letterform set against a stippled black ground filled with floral rosettes and scrolling foliage within a decorated border.
Woodcut or letterpress initial letter "A" on a stippled dark ground, with foliage, birds, and a crouching figure integrated into the decorative surround.
Woodcut or engraved historiated initial letter C, with a seated bear or monkey figure holding a staff inside the letterform, surrounded by stippled dark background and foliate scrollwork with flower motifs at the border.
Woodcut or engraving of a decorative historiated initial letter D, white letterform on a stippled black ground, with flowering plants and foliage filling the interior.
Woodcut or letterpress-printed decorative initial letter D, white on a stippled dark ground, with a flowering plant and scrolling acanthus foliage filling the interior.
Woodcut or engraved historiated initial letter S in white against a stippled dark ground, with floral rosettes filling the interior curves and small animals at the corners and border edges.
Woodcut or engraving of a decorated initial letter C enclosing a small creature, possibly a monkey or bear, seated among foliage; stippled black background with scrolling vine border.
Woodcut or engraving of a historiated initial letter D, white letterform on a stippled black ground, interior filled with flowering plants including buds and blossoms, with foliate ornament in the corners.
Woodcut or engraved decorative initial letter D, filled with scrolling acanthus leaves and a central flowering plant against a stippled dark ground, within a square border.
Woodcut or letterpress printed decorative initial letter S, white on black background, with the letterform inhabited by a serpentine creature and surrounded by scrolling foliage and five-petaled flowers with stippled dotwork fill.
Woodcut or engraving of a decorated initial letter C, filled with a stippled ground and inhabited by a crouching monkey or ape figure holding a staff, surrounded by foliate scrollwork at the corners.
Woodcut or engraving of an ornate historiated initial letter D in white on a stippled black ground, filled with acanthus foliage and a flowering plant, with scrolling vine decoration along the left border.
Woodcut or engraving of an ornamental initial letter S, white on a densely stippled dark ground, with floral rosettes filling the counters and scrolling vine borders at the edges.
Woodcut or engraved historiated initial letter C with stippled background; a hare or rabbit figure seated within the letter, surrounded by scrolling foliage, with decorative border.
Woodcut initial letter 'E' with figures integrated into the letterform; a bearded man in fur-trimmed garments at right confronts a skeletal figure at upper center, while a kneeling figure appears below; soldiers with spears visible at left.
Woodcut initial letter 'E' with two figures in 16th-century dress engaged in combat with a pole weapon, smaller figures visible in the left background, rendered in fine hatched lines.
Woodcut print of three bearded men in 16th-century dress gathered around a large cauldron or barrel, holding long poles or staffs, with tents and trees in the background; bold hatched linework throughout.
Woodcut print depicting three male figures in 16th-century dress carrying long poles or pikes, grouped around a drum, with tents and trees in the background.
Woodcut print depicting four soldiers in 16th-century dress and plumed caps, carrying pikes and gathered around a drum, with a tented military camp visible in the background.
Woodcut historiated initial letter O enclosing two armored figures grappling in combat, rendered with fine parallel hatching on a striped background, with small decorative motifs at the corners.
Woodcut historiated initial letter H enclosing a robed figure in profile grappling with a lion, rendered with dense parallel hatching lines on aged paper.
Woodcut print depicting two skeletal figures grappling with a kneeling human figure, framed by column borders, with dense parallel line hatching throughout.
Woodcut print of a chubby infant figure seated atop a crouching animal, holding a bunch of grapes, surrounded by grapevines and foliage, with parallel line shading, enclosed in a rectangular border.
Woodcut print of a chubby seated figure holding a grapevine, with clusters of grapes at the base, rendered in dense parallel hatching lines within a rectangular border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter A, white capital set against a densely hatched background with intertwined human figures in Renaissance dress filling the negative space.
Woodcut historiated initial letter E with dense hatching; a standing figure in period dress at upper left and a kneeling figure below, with a second figure at right margin, all set within a decorated border.
Woodcut decorated initial letter T, with two seated children figures flanking the vertical stroke, rendered in fine parallel hatching lines on a white ground.
```json { "altText": "Printed decorative initial letter "F" surrounded by dense interlacing vines, leaves, and scrollwork on a stippled dark ground, in black and white." } ```
Woodcut or engraving of an ornate historiated initial letter, white interlacing strapwork and foliate scrolls against a stippled black ground, within a square border.
Woodcut or engraving of an ornate historiated initial letter, white interlaced strapwork and foliate scrolls against a stippled dark background, within a decorative border.
Woodcut or engraving of a decorative historiated initial letter L, white on a stippled black ground, surrounded by dense interlacing foliage, birds, and grape clusters.
Woodcut or letterpress-printed decorated initial letter 'D' in white against a stippled dark background, interlaced with dense foliate and interlocking vine ornamentation.
Print or engraving of an ornate illuminated initial letter against a densely stippled dark background, with interlacing white foliate scrollwork and curling acanthus-like tendrils filling the square composition.
Woodcut or engraving of an ornamental capital letter F, surrounded by dense interlacing vines, leaves, flowers, and birds against a stippled dark background.
Woodcut or letterpress printed decorative initial letter, white interlaced strapwork and foliate scrolls against a stippled black ground, within a square border.
Woodcut-printed decorative initial letter S, white interlaced strapwork and scrolling foliate forms against a dense black stippled ground, enclosed in a square border
Printed woodcut or engraving of an ornate historiated initial letter, white interlaced strapwork and scrolling acanthus forms against a stippled dark ground within a square border.
Woodcut printer's ornament featuring the letter C, with three nude putti gathered around a barrel or tub, one holding a long implement, surrounded by foliage, rendered in fine hatched lines.
Woodcut decorated initial letter 'L' surrounded by putti figures in foliage, with a cherub seen from behind at left and a seated infant figure at right, rendered in fine parallel hatching
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'P' with hatched background, flanked by two putti amid foliage; fine cross-hatching and dense linework typical of Renaissance-era book printing.
Woodcut historiated initial letter P, with two putti figures intertwined among foliage and architectural elements, rendered in fine cross-hatched lines within a square border.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'P' with two putti flanking the letterform, one seated at left and one kneeling at right beside an open chest, with foliage at top corners and fine hatched shading throughout.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'P' with two putti amid foliage; one figure seated at left, another leaning over an open chest at right, rendered in fine black-and-white cross-hatching.
Woodcut or letterpress initial letter with dense interlaced white strapwork on a stippled black ground, framed by a foliate border with leaf and vine motifs.
Woodcut historiated initial letter E with white interlacing strapwork and scrolling acanthus foliage on a stippled dark ground.
Woodcut or letterpress initial letter 'C' on black ground, densely filled with white interlacing acanthus scrolls and stippled dotwork, framed by a foliate border with fleur-de-lis corners.
Woodcut or engraving of an ornate historiated initial letter N in white against a dark stippled ground, surrounded by densely interlaced foliate scrollwork.
Woodcut or engraving of an ornamental capital letter S, white against a densely stippled black ground, interlaced with scrolling acanthus foliage and fleur-de-lis motifs in a Renaissance decorative style.
Woodcut letterpress initial letter 'A' in white against a dense black stippled background, surrounded by interlacing white foliate scrollwork within a rectangular border.
Woodcut print of an ornamental initial letter with densely interlaced white vine scrollwork and leaf forms against a black stippled background, framed by a narrow border.
Woodcut or letterpress-printed decorative initial letter E in white against a dark stippled background, surrounded by densely interlaced scrolling acanthus foliage filling the square block.
Woodcut or engraved historiated initial letter C, white on dark ground, filled with dense interlacing acanthus scrollwork and stippled dot background within a bordered square frame.
Woodcut or engraved decorative initial letter S, white on a stippled dark ground, surrounded by dense interlacing foliate scrollwork with a fleur-de-lis at lower right.
Woodcut or letterpress printed decorative initial letter, white interlaced strapwork and foliate scrolls against a densely stippled dark background, enclosed in a dotted border.
Printed decorative initial letter on a dark stippled ground, white interlaced letterforms intertwined with scrolling vine and floral ornament, with rosette motifs in the lower corners.
Printed decorative initial letter 'O' on dark ground, densely filled with white interlacing vine scrolls, foliage, and a small bird, surrounded by a foliate border.
Woodcut or letterpress initial letter S in white against a dark stippled ground, surrounded by dense interlaced foliage scrollwork with fleur-de-lis details at the corners.
Woodcut or letterpress printed decorated initial letter, white interlaced capitals against a stippled dark ground, with intertwining foliate scrollwork filling the background
Printed decorative initial letter S on a dark stippled ground, surrounded by dense interlacing white vine scrolls, foliage, and fleur-de-lis motifs in a Renaissance woodcut or engraving style.
Woodcut or engraved decorative initial letter Q on black background, with a bearded male profile bust nestled within the letter's counter, surrounded by foliage and ribbon banners inscribed with Latin text and numerals.
Woodcut historiated initial letter Q with dark crosshatched background; the letter's interior contains an intricate grotesque figure with foliage and scrollwork; ribbon banners with Latin text wind around the corners.
Woodcut initial letter Q on black ground, surrounded by fantastical creatures and scrolling foliage; Latin text on a ribbon at right reads 'G·MAR·CE'; date '15' visible at upper left.
Woodcut or engraving initial letter Q with a bearded male profile in side view at center, surrounded by interlaced ribbons and grotesque figures on a black ground, with the text "C. MARC" along the right edge.
Woodcut or letterpress printed historiated initial letter M, white capital set against a densely carved black background of acanthus scrolls and foliage, with small Latin text visible in the upper corners.
Woodcut or letterpress printed historiated initial letter M in white against a black background, filled with dense foliate scrollwork, grotesque faces, and a small robed figure at lower left.
Woodcut historiated initial letter P, white letterform on dense black ground, enclosing a circular vignette with a helmeted profile figure amid foliage, birds, and scrolling vine ornament.
Woodcut historiated initial letter D in black and white, enclosing a medallion portrait of a bearded man in profile, surrounded by foliate scrollwork and small figures in the margins; the letters "CA" appear at the top.
Woodcut or letterpress ornamental initial letter U, black on white, with dense interlaced foliage, a central medallion containing a rearing animal figure, and small letters scattered in the border decoration.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'D' in black and white, with a profile portrait medallion of a bearded man at center, surrounded by dense foliate scrollwork and figural ornament on a dark ground.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'L' in black and white, enclosing a male profile bust within a circular medallion, surrounded by dense foliate ornament and small figures in the margins, with Latin lettering above and below
Woodcut decorated initial letter 'D' with dense black-and-white foliage and scrollwork border, a bearded profile head enclosed in a medallion at center, with the letters 'CA' visible above.
Woodcut or letterpress printed decorative initial letter U, with a profile bust set in a central roundel, surrounded by dense foliate ornament, putti, and festoons on a black ground.
Woodcut or engraved decorative initial letter 'D' with a medallion portrait of a bearded man in profile at center, surrounded by dense foliage, scrollwork, and figures; Latin lettering visible above and below the medallion.
Woodcut or letterpress printed decorative initial letter, black on white, with dense foliate scrollwork surrounding a bearded male profile in medallion at center.
Woodcut historiated initial letter 'D' with a profile portrait medallion at center, surrounded by dense foliage and foliate scrollwork; letters 'CA' appear at top, fine black-and-white line engraving
Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
Various Ornamental Letters
Place Made
Germany
Date Made
16th century
Medium
See individual records
Dimensions
Various
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Salzer
Accession Number
53.31.2.1-.13
Classification
Prints
Collecting Area
Prints and Drawings