1000 Patterns: Design Through the Centuries. Drusilla Cole (ed.); Alan Bridgewater, Christine Davis, and Iain Zaczek (contributors). San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2003.
A good source of inspirational classical designs, classified by regions and ethnic origin (Caspian region,
knot, China, Colonial North America, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Japan, Persia, Polynesia, Pre-Columbian America, Sub-Saharan, and North Africa) and periods/art movements (
Art Nouveau, Baroque & Rococo, Early 20th Century, Medieval, Renaissance, and 19th century through modern in five periods). Also includes an index by geometric shapes (
abstract, acanthus, Adler/eagle motif,
Arabesque,
arrow/chevron,
basketweave, mina-khani,
boteh/buta/
paisley/teardrop, checkerboard, circle/spot, crescent/sickle, cross, diamond, magic knot, fan, heart shape, hexagon, lattice, rosette,
scroll, spiral, star,
stripe,
tartan), natural shapes (
animal, bamboo, bird, flower -- anemone, camellia, cherry, chrysanthemum, clematis, crocus, daffodil, daisy, dandelion, fuchsia, hollyhock, honeysuckle, hyacinth, iris, lily, lotus, marigold, narcissus, nasturtium, papyrus, paulownia, peach blossom, peony, plum, poppy, rose, sunflower, thistle, tulip, wisteria; fruit -- apple, banana, date, fig, gourd, grape/vine, pear, pineapple, pomegranate, raspberry, strawberry; grain, insect, leaf, lightning, marine life/shell, moon, reptile/dragon, snow, sun, tree -- banana, chestnut, maple, oak, palm, pine, sorb-apple, willow; vegetable, water), and mythological and religious symbols (Cherub/Putto, Chinese and Christian symbols, Circle of Life, Deities, Krishna, Mihrab, Qur'an, Senmurv (Winged Dog), Tamar (Talisman), Tree of Life, and Vishnu).