Cosmatesque Ornament: Flat Polychrome Geometric Patterns in Architecture

Known for their remarkable mosaic work, the 'Cosmati' stoneworkers of the 12th and 13th centuries left a legacy of some of the most beautiful ornament in the world, Distinguished by their complex geometric patterns composed of multicoloured porphyry and vibrant marbles, Cosmatesque designs can be found today in the churches of Rome and its environs, and as far afield as Westminster Abbey, in the form of intricate pavements and ornament on church furniture. This book richly illustrates Cosmatesque monuments and techniques in over 300 pages of colour photographs, and defines its distinctive geometric and mathematical basis. It provides a revealing look at the state of building in Rome after the fall of the Empire; an analysis of the symbolic meaning behind the quincunx, the quintessential Cosmatesque design; a comparison of different Cosmatesque sites; and a close examination of the pavement of the Schola Cantorum in the church of San Clemente, Rome. Cosmatesque Ornament is the definitive study of this unique form of architectural ornament. Art historians, designers, architects, mosaicists, archieologists and all craftsmen who delight in ornament will want to keep this book to hand as an invaluable addition to both their personal and professional libraties.