154 ON COLOUR. Part I. 



lessen defects in harmony; while it confirms another remark 

 (p. 102) that reds take away from the power of black, as may 

 be here seen by comparing the appearance of the ground of 

 fig. 12 with that of 4, 7, 9. In the Byzantine ornaments, 

 PL xxix. the border of fig. 23 is elegant in pattern and colour, 

 as are parts of fig. 18 and some others. In PI. xxx. figs. 1, 2, 

 4, 5, from Monreale, are remarkable as having a very Arab 

 character, especially figs. 1 arid 2. Figs. 7 to 11, and 14, 15, 

 and 16, and 27 to 32, as well as 42, are also good in colour. 



Many of the Arab designs are admirable. In PI. xxxi. are 

 the oldest and most simple ; in PI. xxxn. and xxxiii. they are 

 richer, and of a rather later time. Fig. 13, PI. xxxn., is a 

 circle, very intricate and beautiful in pattern ; and in PI. 

 xxxiv. both the designs and the colour are most harmonious 

 and agreeable. The Turkish designs, PL xxxvi., show how 

 Arab patterns were borrowed, misunderstood, and spoilt, being 

 made large and coarse ; and the beautiful Arab bosses (as in 

 figs. 14, 15) were corrupted by having their interlaced work 

 broken up ; and were converted into a heavy, instead of a most 

 graceful, ornament. The colours too, though well chosen, were 

 in patches, resulting from the heavy arrangement of the details 

 in the designs. This is very remarkable in figs. 5, 6, 8, 9. In 

 PL xxxvii., in addition to the corruption of form, the colours 

 are objectionable, having the superabundance of green preva- 

 lent at a debased era, and among a people of borrowed taste ; 

 instances of which may be seen in figs. 5 and 6, and even in 

 1 and 2. 



The works of the Moors, as at the Alhambra, possess of 

 course most beautiful and elaborate designs ; and they abound 

 in good specimens of rich and harmonious colours ; but some 

 of the designs are not quite so pure as those of an older Sara- 

 cenic period, and the elaborate feather-work, and other signs 

 of luxury in design, of this which we may call the florid Arab 

 (the parent of that still existing at Tunis and other parts of 



