Chinese Ornament no. 1. Ornaments painted on porcelain and wood from woven fabrics 

Owen Jones created this intriguing page of designs, "Chinese Ornament no. 1," using paint on porcelain and wood, inspired by woven fabrics. These patterns, with their geometric precision and repetition, reflect the industrial age's fascination with mass production and standardization. The application of these designs onto porcelain and wood merges the aesthetics of craft with the scalability of industry. Jones was deeply interested in the historical and cultural context of ornament. He sought to codify design principles applicable across cultures and materials, from the humblest textile to the grandest architectural project. The act of painting these patterns, derived from woven fabrics, onto hard surfaces like porcelain and wood, speaks to the adaptability of design in an era of mass production, and the importance of contextual understanding when appreciating design. It’s a reminder that design, like any form of making, is always shaped by the social, economic, and technological forces of its time.