Dancing beasts of myth and legend, thick foliage that appears to live and breathe, reclining figures engulfed by symbols of fate -- this magnificent compendium of 15th- and 18th-century embellishments offers up a dizzying array of Gothic and Renaissance designs steeped in religion and fantasy. A marvel of art history, 127 exquisitely rendered black-and-white illustrations will thrill students and art aficionados, and serve as a rich source of inspiration for anyone working in the fine or applied arts.