The first one is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City), and the second is in the Hermitage Museum ( Saint Petersburg, Russia) Common to all these forms is the pair of volutes at the base of the fan – constituting the defining characteristics of the palmette.Įxamples of the eyes and sun-disk at the crowns of two Egyptian steles. In some variants the features of a more fully developed face become discernible in the palmette itself, while in certain architectural uses, usually at the head of pilasters or herms, the fan of palm-fronds transforms into a male or female face and the volutes sometimes appear as breasts. In some forms of the motif the volutes or scrolls resemble a pair of eyes, like those on the harmika of the Tibetan or Nepalese stupa and the eyes and sun-disk at the crown of Egyptian stelae.

Some compare the shape to an open hamsa hand – explaining the commonality and derivation of the 'palm' of the hand. In the repeated border design commonly referred to as anthemion the palm fronds more closely resemble petals of the honeysuckle flower, as if designed to attract fertilizing insects. The number of fronds is variable, but typically between five and about fifteen. There may be a central frond that is larger than the rest. The essence of the palmette is a symmetrical group of spreading 'fronds' that spread out from a single base, normally widening as they go out, before ending at a rounded or fairly blunt pointed tip. The half-palmette, bisected vertically, is also a very common motif, found in many mutated and vestigial forms, and especially important in the development of plant-based scroll ornament. The complex evolution of the palmette was first traced by Alois Riegl in his Stilfragen of 1893. It is very often a component of the design of a frieze or border. It is found in most artistic media, but especially as an architectural ornament, whether carved or painted, and painted on ceramics. In ancient Greek and Roman uses it is also known as the anthemion (from the Greek ανθέμιον, a flower). It has a far-reaching history, originating in ancient Egypt with a subsequent development through the art of most of Eurasia, often in forms that bear relatively little resemblance to the original. The palmette is a motif in decorative art which, in its most characteristic expression, resembles the fan-shaped leaves of a palm tree. Page in which appear various illustrations of palmettes, from A handbook of Ornament by Franz Meyer (1898) Etruscan architectural plaque with palmettes, from late 4th century BC, painted terracotta, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City The stems of this papyrus were and are still used to make paper in the Middle East.A decorative motif based on the fan-shaped leaves of a palm tree Soon you will have a new plant to share or add to your indoor garden.Ī bit more information: There are over 500 related species and most of the Papyrus ( Cyperus) plants are native to marshes, ponds and streams. Roots and new shoots will form over the next few weeks. The leafy stem tip will be in the water or potting mix while the leafless stem points upward toward the ceiling. Cut off the top few inches of the stem and place it upside down in a glass of water or well drained potting mix.

Start new plants from the tip of the stem. Keep the soil moist or set the pot in a shallow dish filled with water. Grow papyrus indoors in a bright location and a container filled with a quality potting mix. Heights vary from 18 inches to 4 feet or more. The Papyrus has long leafless stems topped by a cluster of fine leafy bracts that resemble an umbrella. The Papyrus ( Cyperus) is a versatile plant that is easy to grow and fun to propagate. It grows in water or soil, indoors or out. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that

Papyrus leaves