Skip to content
Art for everyday objects

The working gallery

Pattern Department

Ornament, textiles, repeat patterns, borders, calligraphy, and decorative systems. Browse the public-domain works below, then open an artwork to see available products.

73 works

Choose your lack of context

The catalog map: browse by era and region

Plate 35: Philip of Spain as Neptune, riding in a chariot drawn by two sea horses; from Guillielmus Becanus's 'Serenissimi Principis Ferdinandi, Hispaniarum Infantis...' by Pieter de Jode II.

Pieter de Jode II

Plate 35: Philip of Spain as Neptune, riding in a chariot drawn by two sea horses; from Guillielmus Becanus's 'Serenissimi Principis Ferdinandi, Hispaniarum Infantis...'

1636

The Unicorn Purifies Water (from the Unicorn Tapestries) by Unknown maker.

Unknown maker

The Unicorn Purifies Water (from the Unicorn Tapestries)

1495–1505

Garden Flowers by Chen Chun.

Chen Chun

Garden Flowers

dated 1540

Hen and Rooster with Grapevine by Itō Jakuchū.

Itō Jakuchū

Hen and Rooster with Grapevine

1792

Egrets and Cotton Roses by Tosa Mitsuoki.

Tosa Mitsuoki

Egrets and Cotton Roses

mid- to late 17th century

The Kangxi Emperor's Southern Inspection Tour, Scroll Three: Ji'nan to Mount Tai by Wang Hui.

Wang Hui

The Kangxi Emperor's Southern Inspection Tour, Scroll Three: Ji'nan to Mount Tai

datable to 1698

'Aqua' in a Decorative Border with Sea Creatures, from a Series of Circular Designs with the Four Elements by Crispijn de Passe the Elder.

Crispijn de Passe the Elder

'Aqua' in a Decorative Border with Sea Creatures, from a Series of Circular Designs with the Four Elements

1590–1612

Piece by Unknown maker.

Unknown maker

Piece

1795–99

Squirrel and Grape by Liu Deliu.

Liu Deliu

Squirrel and Grape

dated 1868

Sparrows, plum blossoms, and bamboo by Unidentified artist.

Unidentified artist

Sparrows, plum blossoms, and bamboo

late 12th century

An Orange-Headed Ground Thrush and a Death's-Head Moth on a Purple Ebony Orchid Branch by Shaikh Zain al–Din.

Shaikh Zain al–Din

An Orange-Headed Ground Thrush and a Death's-Head Moth on a Purple Ebony Orchid Branch

dated 1778

Armorial Trophy by Polidoro da Caravaggio.

Polidoro da Caravaggio

Armorial Trophy

1600–1800

Sampler by Unknown maker.

Unknown maker

Sampler

1809

Lotus and waterbirds by Unidentified artist.

Unidentified artist

Lotus and waterbirds

ca. 1300

Design for a Plate with Galatea on a Shell Flanked by Trumpeters in a Medallion Bordered by Sea Monsters by Adriaen Collaert.

Adriaen Collaert

Design for a Plate with Galatea on a Shell Flanked by Trumpeters in a Medallion Bordered by Sea Monsters

ca. 1600

Plate 16: The Argonaut Asterion led by a young figure of lightning (Asterione argonote condoti da Giove fulmina), from "The magnificent pageant on the river Arno in Florence for the marriage of the Grand Duke" (Le Magnifique carousel fait sur le fleuve de l'Arne a Florence, pour le mariage du Grand Duc) by Anonymous.

Anonymous

Plate 16: The Argonaut Asterion led by a young figure of lightning (Asterione argonote condoti da Giove fulmina), from "The magnificent pageant on the river Arno in Florence for the marriage of the Grand Duke" (Le Magnifique carousel fait sur le fleuve de l'Arne a Florence, pour le mariage du Grand Duc)

1664

Safavid Courtiers Leading Georgian Captives by Unknown maker.

Unknown maker

Safavid Courtiers Leading Georgian Captives

mid-16th century

Ten Kings of Hell by Jin Chushi.

Jin Chushi

Ten Kings of Hell

before 1195

Tiger, Tigress and Cub by Kishi Chikudō.

Kishi Chikudō

Tiger, Tigress and Cub

1892

Hawking Party by Unknown maker.

Unknown maker

Hawking Party

ca. 1500–1530

Sparrows in a Plum Tree by Nagasawa Rosetsu 長澤蘆雪.

Nagasawa Rosetsu 長澤蘆雪

Sparrows in a Plum Tree

second half of the 1790s

Façade of the church of San Lorenzo in Florence, decorated with the emperor's arms, four figures of death flanking the three entrances, the two in center on horseback, a large angel above central door, from "Ceremonies for the Funeral of Emperor Ferdinand II" (Funérailles de l'empereur Ferdinand II) by Stefano della Bella.

Stefano della Bella

Façade of the church of San Lorenzo in Florence, decorated with the emperor's arms, four figures of death flanking the three entrances, the two in center on horseback, a large angel above central door, from "Ceremonies for the Funeral of Emperor Ferdinand II" (Funérailles de l'empereur Ferdinand II)

1637

"Black Buck", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album by Manohar.

Manohar

"Black Buck", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album

recto: ca. 1615–20; verso: ca. 1530–50

"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album by Govardhan.

Govardhan

"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album

verso: ca. 1630; recto: ca. 1530–50

Artist, title, date, and source links appear on each artwork page. Artwork credits and sources.