While browsing the Feature Articles....

Doug Fielder · Post by **Doug Fielder** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:10 am

I have seen a common element used in Rawson & Evans as well as in the Atkinson book of torches and smudge pots, does anyone know what these represent? It seems to be a really popular design element in lots of Art Nouveau stuff as well.
I am asking because it is a cool element that I would like to use, but I don't want to use it without knowing what it represents.

Thanks in advance.

Doug Bernhardt · Post by **Doug Bernhardt** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:12 pm

An example of what you mean specifically would help hugely here. I have the Atkinson plates as well a smany other reference books but am not sure what plates or details you are speaking of.

Doug Fielder · Post by **Doug Fielder** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:15 pm

Let's see, page 59 in Atkinson Sign Painting... there is a sample for O W HYTE, Sign and Pictorial Painters; a torch on pg 141; and I was mistaken on the Rawson and Evans reference, it was here instead http://www.theletterheads.com/lhparts/spanjerbros.html
The Spanjer Bros.
Thanks for taking the time to help me figure this out.

Post by **Mike Jackson** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 9:57 am

Doug,
You might see torches used all the way back to the Egyptians and Romans artwork, or even before. While their might be some additional mythalogical significance (guiding light to the hereafter or something similar), I suspect they were commonplace fixtures in many buildings due to the lack of electrcial lighting. As the years went by, they probably became more of a decorative element. I have lots of books on historic decoration. Many share the same basic set of "building blocks", such as the use of the acanthis leaves throughout.

Mike