"Since many centuries before the birth of Christ, the distinctive lines of Celtic ornament have retained a remarkable stylistic cohesion, surviving mass migration, hostile invasion and religious conversion, to reappear in the arts and crafts of succeeding generations. Celebrated for their metalwork, the early Celts used spirals and knotwork, figurative motifs and symbolic repeating patterns to cover their jewelry and weapons. Later, Christian Ireland revived the ancient designs in illuminated manuscripts and precious ritual objects. Today, the mystical abstract designs of Celtic art are enjoying a new popularity among the young." "This collection of twenty-six plates has been selected from a wide range of Celtic themes and media to offer an invaluable pictorial reference book, which is sure to appeal to artists, designers and art historians."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved