Harleian style
An English style of book decoration which came
into vogue in about 1720. The name derives from
the books of the Harleian library founded by
Robert Harley (1661-1724), and expanded
considerably by his son, Edward (1689-1741).
Although the name Chapman was once associated with
these bindings, along with that of Elliott, it has
been established that at least the more important
bindings were probably executed by Thomas Elliott.
The general characteristics of the bindings are
the predominantly bright red color (and inferior
quality) of the morocco leather used, and a
three-line fillet running around the edges of the
covers. Within the fillet is a broad-tooled border
made up of two or three sprigs of various
patterns, and a large central ornament, usually in
the shape of an elongated lozenge, built up from a
number of small units. (69 , 241 , 280 )
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