acanthus
The name given a leaf of the acanthus plant
(Acanthus spinosus) introduced as ornamentation in
ancient Greek architecture. It has been applied in
various modified forms in succeeding styles of
architecture. In bookbinding, the acanthus
ornamentation is a typical impression of the
finishing tool cut to represent two such leaves
pointing in different directions. The acanthus
decoration was also used as a decorative motif by
illuminators of manuscripts, especially
Carolingian artists of the 9th century. (250 )
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