Ornament ( Engraving and printing ). [1] This is an ornament in the form of a flower, or some historical emblem, usually engraved on wood or on copper, which is placed at the end of articles or chapters where there is some white space to fill. The ornament is much the same as a tailpiece. [2] Ornaments should not be made square; so that they are graceful they should end in a rather pointed form at the middle of their base and the angles on their top should be as it were rounded off. For all that, there are spaces that can only be filled by ornaments that are longer than they are high; it is up to the engraver to make the best of this shape by [skilful] design. In general, ornaments cut in wood, and these include signs [3] and tailpieces, are a little lower in height [height to paper] than printing type; this is so that their unsupported edges do not make marks on the paper and also are not broken off by the pressure of the press. But they can easily be made to give a good impression [4] by putting slips [of card] under the ornament. See cul-de-lampe and placards. [5]

1. fleuron Smith, in his Printer’s Grammar of 1755 (second edition 1787) calls many ornaments Flower-pieces or Flowers – even when there is nothing floral about them. Some authors use fleuron in English as a synonym for ornament.

2. cul-de-lampe

3. placards

4. les faire venire bien

5. This article is not relevant