Sheet with two borders with rinceau motif 1775 - 1875

This anonymous design sheet from the 18th or 19th century, features two repeating borders of rinceau motifs, a decorative pattern of stylized, flowing vines and leaves. The white-on-red color scheme is typical of design sheets used for decorative purposes, such as wallpaper or textiles. Rinceau designs, with their origins in classical antiquity, were popular in European decorative arts throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. This design sheet, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to the enduring appeal of these motifs.