Les Singuliers et Nouveaux Portraicts... page 48 (recto) 1588

This engraving by Federico de Vinciolo, from his 1588 book "Les Singuliers et Nouveaux Portraicts...", depicts the Roman god Saturn, who is shown holding a sickle and sitting on a throne. Saturn is surrounded by an elaborate design of vines and foliage that was likely intended to be cut out with a pair of scissors. This image would have been used by a craftsperson to create intricate designs in cloth, paper, or leather. This illustration is an example of the flourishing art of paper-cutting and the growing popularity of ornate designs in the 16th century.