The increased use of quality designs in 19th-century manufactured goods created a steady demand during that period for collections of decorative patterns. This volume reproduces one such collection ― an extremely rare and valuable portfolio of 376 motifs assembled more than a century ago by two French Jesuit scholars.

Relying on historical wall and floor tiles, textile patterns, tapestries, wall hangings, and other designs originating in the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and later European and Islamic cultures, Charles Cahier (1807–1882) and Arthur Martin (1802–1856) produced a work of true artistic distinction. Included are a wealth of splendid floral, animal, bird, and geometric patterns, carefully researched and meticulously redrawn for use in a myriad of graphic and artistic projects. Many of the motifs are accompanied by complementary border designs, an often essential accessory.

This edition faithfully reproduces the edition published in 1868, titled Suite aux mélanges d'archéologie. It represents an invaluable copyright-free resource embodying the finest designs from historic sources, ready for use by artists, illustrators, craftspeople, and designers working with textiles, wallpapers, interior decoration, and other projects.