Sources of traditional wood carving patters

[Bill Hamilton]

My interest is relief carvings in the style of the old British / European masters and I have mostly used designs from Paul Haslucks book "Manual of Traditional Wood Carving". Can any one refer me to any similar books (even books that are out of print) or is anyone aware if any of the schools of woodcarving in Britain or Europe make their designs available to the public?

[Robson Valley]

Look for a copy of William Wheeler & Charles H. Hayward, Wood Carving.
Evans Bros., England, 1972. ISBN 0-87749-709-5 about 130 pages but a beginner's book.
Acanthus, heraldic things, linenfold, etc.

I shop with ABEBooks.com for oldies but goodies.

[paolo59]

The Paul Hansluck's is the most complete I know. There are many other books on traditional ornaments (not only carved) but you will find only the pattern and not the carving pictures and, sometimes you must modify the drawings to adapt them for wood carving.
Many of these old books are available free on-line. If you are interested in such a thinks I will look for the link.

[germancarver]

Hello Bill,
i found a lot of carving books on google books site. Another source for free books is Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine.
For english carvings search for Augustus Pugin. Pugin was an architect who write some books over french and english ornaments.
Other good source are books from Frederick Wilbur (eg. Decorative Woodcarving).

Happy Carving!