A New Book of Ornaments, Very Necessary for the Instruction of Those Unacquainted With the Useful Part of Drawing

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, where we showcase *A New Book of Ornaments, Very Necessary for the Instruction of Those Unacquainted With the Useful Part of Drawing* by Henry Copland and Robert Sayer, created before 1753. This compact volume, measuring just 12 5/16 x 8 1/16 x 3/8 inches, is a delightful example of 18th-century instructional printmaking, blending education with artistic elegance. Etched illustrations fill its pages, featuring intricate ornamental designs—think blooming flowers and graceful motifs—perfect for aspiring artists, decorators, and architects. Etching, a technique using acid to bite into metal plates, allowed for precise, reproducible patterns that could be easily copied, making complex ornamentation accessible to beginners lacking formal training. Copland and Sayer, key figures in London's print trade, catered to a growing demand for "useful" drawing skills amid the era's ornamental fever in furniture, textiles, and architecture. These pattern books were cultural treasures, democratizing design during the Rococo-influenced Georgian period and fueling the decorative arts boom. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1934, this rarity invites you to trace the roots of everyday elegance in floral flourishes that still inspire today. (198 words)