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An ornate woodcut headpiece featuring a central basket filled with flowers and fruit, flanked by elaborate scrolling acanthus leaves, floral blossoms, and grape clusters.
An ornamental drop-cap 'D' set within a square woodcut frame decorated with intricate floral vines and foliage.
The principal reason why the red carmine pigment original: "Carmin-Farbe." Carmine is a deep red pigment traditionally derived from the cochineal insect. has hitherto been so dearly paid for, and valued almost as highly as gold, is likely because so very few know how to make it. It may also be, however, that it is so precious because much skill original: "Kunst." In this historical context, this refers to practical artistry or craftsmanship. and specific knowledge original: "Wissenschaft." Referring here to specialized technical or systematic understanding. are required for it, and not everyone can imitate it; since an oversight that appears very slight at the beginning often brings the greatest harm in the end. For if one wishes to make the same and lets it boil just a little too long, a very dark color results from it; or, if for its extraction extraction The chemical process of drawing out the color from the raw material using a liquid solvent. a hard water mixed with salts original: "Salien," an archaic term for various mineral salts.—