EARLY GERMAN PATTERN (MODEL) BOOKS - BAROQUE

MODELBOOKS

The first german printed source for embroidery designs was published in 1523 : Schoensperger´s "Furm-oder Modelbuechlein". Many other sources for embroidery designs followed in Germany . Augsburg and Nueremberg were the main centers for the production of ornamental designs for craftsmen and artisans.

This interesting book offers facsimil reproduction (parts) of 3 BAROQUE MODELBOOKS by :

• ELENA ROSINA FUERST

• MARGARETHA HELM

• CHRISTOPH WEIGEL (Jr.)

Description of contents:

ELENA ROSINA FUERST ( patterns from 1660 – 1676)

Rosina Fuerst was born on 1642 as the daughter of publisher PAUL FUERST in NUERNBERG . She was probably the first embroidery pattern designer who was also an embroidress.

Her designs were edited in 4 books containing a total of 193 Plates. They contained patterns for Cross Stitch, lacis or darned netting, geometrical cutwork, blackwork, needlelace and designs for beaded embroidery .There were also lots of borders and other patterns which are recognizable in old Samplers.

Rosina Fuerst´s Modelbooks first editions ( 1660 – 1676) represent the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque ornamental style in embroidery .

She was the pioneer who opened the path for three other WOMEN DESIGNERS of the BAROQUE: Margaretha Helm, Amalia Beer and Margaretha Kraus, whose works were published also in NÜRNBERG between 1720 -1727 by Christoph Weigel. Some plates of Margaretha Helm´s books are also shown in this book.

This book contains facsimils of 92 PLATES of FUERST`s patterns.

a)BOOK I: 42 PLATES

Von unterschiedlicher Art der Blumen und anderer genehten Mödel nach jziger Manier

Diferent kinds of Flowers and other patterns for Needlecrafts

b) BOOK 2 = 50 PLATES

DAS NEUE MODELBUCH Von schönen Nädereyen, Ladengewürck und Paterleinsarbeit.

Nice patterns for needlework , weaving and beadwork.

MARGARETHA HELM ( patterns ca. 1720-1725 )

KÜNST UND FLEISS- ÜBENDE NADEL-ERGÖTZUNGEN

ODER NEU-ERFUNDENES NEH-UND STICKBUCH

28 PLATES

Margaretha Helm was the wife of Adam Rudolph Helm, cantor of the church St. Egydien in Nuremberg. Besides teaching embroidery, she was a talented needlework designer. Her complete work, focusing on patterns for embroideries was edited in three volumes around the years 1720-1725 by Johann Christoph Weigel.

Margaretha Helm´s ornamental style is typical of the taste of the time, featuring intrincate floral motifs for borders combined with matching flower sprays patterns . Besides, delicate wreaths and fruit designs ( still life style ) and the NICEST BORDERS . A series of alphabets and patterns for costumes were also contained in the original work.

As in the latest of Fuerst´s ( fourth) pattern books, Margaretha Helm gives descriptions , instructions and suggestion on how to execute the embroideries.( in the original text of the book, not show in this reproduction)

Unlike Rosina Fuerst´s Modelbooks which were edited several times, Helm´s Pattern Collection was edited only once, what made them very RARE and somehow unknown in the following centuries.

Some of the very few exemplars of this work are hosted in Germany ( Bayerische Staatsbibliothek , Kunstbibliothek, Berlin ) and other important institutions abroad ( Victoria and Albert Museum, UK) , Clark Art Institute, New York Public Library (USA) among others.

This book contains facsimils of 28 PLATES of MARGARETHA HELM`s MODELBUCH.

CHRISTOPH WEIGEL( patterns from 1784 )

Des neuen Strick- Büchlein, Part II

PLATES II-XI

Christoph Weigel ( Jr ) ,son of Johann Christoph Weigels( 1654 -1725) art dealer, copperplate engraver and publisher in Nürnberg published these patterns in Nürnberg,1784.

Weigels Publishing House in Nürnberg specialized in ornamental design books for craftsmen and artisans.

This book contains facsimils of 11 PLATES of Des neuen Strick- Büchlein, Part II showing alphabets, numerals, BORDERS and ornamental designs for costumes.

An interesting BAROQUE PATTERN COLLECTION , this book contains a total of 130 PLATES (facsimil repr.) from 3 original BAROQUE SOURCES. This wealth of attractive original models will provide nice source of inspiration for discerning and creative stitchers.

Author: Wagner, Helga. Süddeutsche Verlag, München, 1985, Hardcover , german text, 148 pgs , 130 b/w PLATES, facsimil reproduction of original sources. Some patterns may appear a bit blurred due to the condition of the original sources. A present dedication on the first page dated 1993. Very good condition.

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