Acanthus is the archaeological and art historical term for the type of ornament that takes the form of the leaves of the eponymous plant genus in a stylized manner. The thistle-like Acanthus leaf is a recurring motif in ornamentation. A series of Acanthus leaves forms an Acanthus frieze. Acanthus leaves arranged in a circular symmetrical pattern create an Acanthus rosette. A vine made up of Acanthus leaves is called an Acanthus vine. The theologian and church historian Moritz Meurer (1806-1877) presents the original forms of the Greek Acanthus ornament and their natural counterparts in this volume. Illustrated with numerous black-and-white images. Reprint of the original edition from 1896.