The Grammar of Ornament

Name: The Grammar of Ornament
ISBN: 9787559447487

欧文·琼斯 / 徐恒迦 / 黄溪鸿Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaDec 2021

4.5

Word count: 105K words
Chapters: 23
ISBN: 9787559447487

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Summary

First published in 1856, The Grammar of Ornament is a monumental work in the history of design, written by Owen Jones, a pioneering designer of his day. Its three great strengths are its wealth of illustrations (112 plates, more than 2,000 motifs), its thorough and wide-ranging survey of cultures (20 regional cultures), and its 37 original principles of design. Jones traveled extensively in Europe and the Near East, conducting comprehensive, meticulous research on ornament of many different styles. His scope ranged from ancient Egypt and ancient Greece to China and on to the Italian Renaissance. He applied these observations to design practice, thereby helping to spark a revolution in Western art and design, pointing designers toward a sound path of innovation, and securing his irreplaceable place in the history of Western design.

Editor's review

First published in 1856, The Grammar of Ornament is a landmark work in the history of design by the pioneering designer Owen Jones. Its three great strengths are its rich illustrations (112 plates, over 2,000 motifs), its profound and comprehensive survey of cultures (20 regional cultures), and its original 37 principles of design. Jones traveled extensively in Europe and the Near East, conducting thorough and meticulous research on a vast range of ornamental art in different styles. His scope ranged from ancient Egypt and Greece to China and the Italian Renaissance. He applied these observations to design practice, thereby driving a revolution in Western art and design, pointing designers toward a correct path of innovation, and securing his indispensable place in Western design history.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Professionals in graphic design, interior design, architecture, or craft arts seeking historical theoretical foundations and sources of inspiration
Students or researchers of art history and design history who need to understand 19th-century design thought and the evolution of ornamental art
Enthusiasts with a strong interest in visual culture and pattern aesthetics who wish to systematically improve their appreciation of ornament
Creative professionals such as illustrators and pattern designers who need reference material on cross-cultural ornamental vocabulary

Not a good fit for

Purely skills-oriented learners expecting step-by-step practical tutorials or quick design tips
Readers who lack patience for historical documents and theoretical discussion and prefer light reading

Reading tips

Begin by browsing the illustrations throughout the book to build a visual impression before reading the text in depth and understanding how Jones distilled principles from specific cases
While reading, compare and reflect in light of contemporary design works—for example, how modern minimalism echoes or departs from the ornamental principles set out in the book
Focus on the 37th principle and the conclusion, which are the core summary of Jones's theory; the remaining chapters can be consulted as a case library

About the publisher

Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1958

Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House focuses on literary publishing while also covering the humanities, social sciences, and books on art and daily life. Its approximately 1,535 titles in the database span social novels, world history, design, science fiction, classic works, and film and television: they include modern Chinese literary classics by Lu Xun such as A Madman's Diary: The Complete Short Stories of Lu Xun, Call to Arms, Four Generations Under One Roof, and Teahouse, as well as foreign literary memoirs like Stefan Zweig's The World of Yesterday. In science fiction it offers Asimov's Galactic Empire series, while in architecture and art it publishes Liu Dunzhen's Classical Gardens of Suzhou and design titles from Phoenix Space. Its authors are concentrated among classic writers such as Lu Xun, Zweig, and Asimov, with translators including Liang Xijiang, Zhong Haonan, and Ye Lihua. Its overall character is built on classic works while embracing genre fiction and visual culture. Public information is limited, and this introduction is based on the titles in the database.

版权信息
建筑与装饰艺术中“形”与“色”布局的基本法则
前言
第一章原始部落装饰
第二章埃及装饰
第三章亚述和波斯装饰
第四章希腊装饰
第五章庞贝装饰
第六章罗马装饰
第七章拜占庭装饰
第八章阿拉伯装饰（以开罗地区为例）
第九章土耳其装饰
第十章摩尔式装饰（以亚罕布拉宫为例）
第十一章波斯伊斯兰装饰
第十二章印度装饰（以1851年和1855年的万国工业博览会为例）
第十三章印度教装饰
第十四章中国装饰
第十五章凯尔特装饰
第十六章中世纪装饰
第十七章文艺复兴装饰
第十八章伊丽莎白时期装饰
第十九章意大利装饰
第二十章自然花叶装饰

FAQ

Does this book still offer practical guidance for modern design?

It has profound significance. Principles such as 'truthfulness' and 'adaptability' proposed by Jones directly influenced the functionalist current in modern design; the book's analytical methods for geometric composition and color harmony are still widely applied; and its perspective of cross-cultural ornament comparison also aids creation in today's globalized context.

Do I need an art or design background to understand it?

No professional background is required, though some aesthetic interest will make it easier to engage with. The book is rich in cases and fully illustrated; general readers can intuitively experience different styles through the illustrations. The theoretical sections are clearly expressed, and the historical background involved is briefly explained.

How does this edition compare with the English original or earlier translations?

This edition provides translated annotations based on modern scholarship and supplements the cultural background notes lacking in the original; the color printing quality is good and largely restores the color gradations of the original plates; however, the translation of some technical terms may be debated in academic circles, so consulting the English terms alongside is recommended.

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About the author

欧文·琼斯 Author

Owen Jones is the author of The Grammar of Ornament and The Grammar of Ornament 2: Chinese Patterns. Public information about his nationality, dates of birth and death, and other biographical details is limited. These two works are often classified under architecture and focus on the formal principles of decorative art and systems of ornament, offering a systematic treatment of pattern structure, color arrangement, and decorative traditions across regions. His writing emphasizes visual analysis and typological classification, presenting ornamental rules through illustrations alongside discussion so that readers can understand the visual language of ornament in different cultures. The volume on Chinese patterns extends this scope to traditional Chinese decorative motifs, providing reference material for readers in design, architecture, and art history. Overall, Jones's contribution lies in preserving and disseminating ornamental designs through methods of organization and comparison, with a lasting influence on the study and practice of decorative art.

徐恒迦 Author

Xu Hengjia — public information about this author is limited, and details of identity and life remain unavailable; only the works held in the collection offer a glimpse of the author's academic and translation interests. The four titles span decorative art, traditional Chinese culture, language and thought, and tea culture, combining informative content with readability. The Decoration of Houses and its sequel, The Decoration of Houses 2: Chinese Patterns, suggest a systematic interest in ornamental pattern systems, with Chinese motifs given a dedicated volume that reflects attention to local visual traditions. Language Shaping Human Thought touches on linguistics and cognitive science, while The Book of Tea concerns food and everyday aesthetics. Classified under architecture, language, and food, these works show that Xu's writing or translation is not confined to a single discipline but is characterized by cross-disciplinary cultural knowledge. Given the lack of biographical detail, the author's style and specific contributions require further evidence.

黄溪鸿 Author

Huang Xihong is an author about whom public information is currently limited; no clear records of his life, nationality, or dates of birth and death have been found. According to the holdings in the library, only one work appears under his name, The Principles of Decoration, commonly classified under architecture. It may therefore be inferred that the author's interest lies in the relationship between architecture and decorative art, and that he may discuss the formal rules of ornament, principles of composition, and their application in architectural contexts. The title itself suggests a systematic, rule-oriented approach to writing, perhaps an attempt to summarize the underlying logic of decoration through induction rather than merely cataloguing patterns. Because more biographical information is unavailable, his professional background and the full scope of his writing cannot be confirmed; readers may consult the book's specific content to understand his perspective and style of expression on architectural decoration.