Ornament for Knife Handle 

Theodor de Bry created this ornament design for a knife handle with an engraving. Notice how the symmetrical layout, intricate details, and fine lines create a visually rich texture, inviting closer inspection. The design's structure, divided into distinct zones, creates a hierarchy of meaning. The base provides grounding and stability. Ascending upwards, a complex middle section displays figures and ornamental motifs, evoking a sense of upward movement and visual delight. The pinnacle features a series of rounded forms, completing the object’s shape and leading the eye back down. De Bry’s print uses a semiotic system of signs, embedding cultural codes within the artwork, which speaks to power and status. This ornament not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of a simple tool, but it also transformed the knife into a symbol of sophistication. Art like this asks us to reconsider the familiar and reflect on the values we assign to objects.