17 Antique Printer Ornaments

Today we have a beautiful collection of Antique Printer Ornaments! I’ve had a fascination with these types of images for many years. They were often used to decorate books, at the end or beginning of a chapter. I think they are incredibly beautiful and some are very ornate. They can be used in a variety of projects … anywhere that you want to add a bit of a decoration!

Old Winged Victory Ornament

Today I’m sharing this Old Winged Victory Ornament with Putti Graphic! This vintage Baroque detailed arabesque with scrollwork depicts Winged Victory. The central figure, emerging from grotesque Acanthus leaves, has outstretched arms holding an olive branch in each hand. The triangular-shaped ornament also shows Putti holding torches on each side facing outward with two birds holding ribbons in their beaks.

Vintage Baroque Printer Ornaments

This wonderful antique Printer’s ornament was submitted by Esther Salathe from Switzerland! According to Esther, this image is 150 years old, and she found it in her old family Bible! I love the Baroque style of this one with all of its swirls and ornate scrolls! There are two charming Cherubs in the mix too. The center of the original image had a little urn in an oval frame. Thank you Esther for sharing this with all of us!

Here we have a lovely Baroque Printers Ornament! Scanned from a circa 1880’s Poetry book, this is quite a fancy ornament! It was used as a separator between chapters. There are all kinds of fancy grotesque scrolls on it along with heads of some kind of creatures or Gargoyles scrolls along the sides. In the center portion there is a hanging urn with a plant inside. I’m also offering a second version without the plant, in the Antique Printer Ornaments section below.

Above is a fabulous Public Domain Illustration! The lovely ornamental design that you see above is actually an antique Printer’s ornament from the title page of the book. I thought it was so charming with the little birds on each side. I love all the fancy scrollwork and vines plus the beautiful basket in the center. So decorative! Scanned from a Circa 1890’s Ornamental Plant book, these would make pretty note cards or stationery!

Unique Ornamental Designs

Here we have two fun Printer Ornaments from an 1880’s book! These little doodads, as I like to call them, were often used to illustrate the ends of chapters in old books, but they are so charming I’m sure you will find lots of uses for them in your art! Included are a scrollwork piece with two bunnies perched on top! The top image with rabbits is a very classic ornament with scrolls and Acanthus leaves. The bottom graphic shows a horseshoe wrapped with floral vines and topped with a bow.

Here is a nice old Victorian Printer Ornament! Notice the center of this one with a book and chains. Surrounded by Floral scrollwork with Acanthus leaf accents, this one would make a great piece to add to a Junk journal or Handmade book.

Antique Printer Ornaments

Above are two wonderful Printer Ornaments from the 1880’s book! Included are a Wreath ornament, with and without the central pattern. The wreath is round with a scrollwork top and ribbon bottom. To me, it looks like it has a fancy sword handle coming out of each side. It actually might be a heraldic logo of sorts.

This is the Baroque Printers Ornament from the Antique Baroque Printer Ornaments section above. In this version I removed the central plant image, so that you can use it as a graphic frame. You might add a monogram or Wedding monogram in the frame.

Beautiful Scrollwork Designs

Shown above is a gorgeous Ornate Scroll Printer Ornament from an Antique Design book! I really never get tired of these romantic images!! If you love Acanthus leaf design, this one is for you. Loaded with magnificent scrolled leaves and floral elements with a central urn, this is a beautiful illustration. It has a thin rectangular frame around it.

Above is an antique Victorian Printer Ornament Engraving. This one resembles a hinge for a door or fence to me. It is heavier and more masculine in feel than other fancy ornaments. It might be a decoration for a suit of armor even. I am sure you will have loads of ideas for it. This doodad comes from an 1880’s book.

Here are three nice little graphic patterns. They are Ornamental pieces from an Antique Design book. These would have been used by Printers in order to jazz up the pages of books and other published works. They are all three horizontal in orientation with scrollwork and simple ornamentation elements. These make great vintage Photoshop Brushes!

Above is a really lovely Scroll Image! These vintage swirls are so pretty and ornate, and the stripes add a little something extra that’s quite pleasing I think. I don’t know why but it reminds me of an old- fashioned organ or music stand.

I hope you enjoyed this fun curated collection of Antique Printer Ornaments!! You might also like our stunning collection of 12 Carved Ornamental Design Images HERE!