An ornamental motif made up of ellipsoidal elements with pointed ends. Each element features strokes arising from both sides of a common axis which resemble veins and make it look like leaves, hence the name. The motif is mostly seen in engraving and woodburning techniques, as well as in metal chasing, and less often in carving.
It is used in band patterns with a simple and clearly defined repetition of elements. The combinations of leaf-shaped elements produce such motifs as ‘trylysnyky’ (two leaf plant), ‘haluzky’ (branches), ‘vazonchyk’ (little flowerpot), ‘travka’ (little grass), ‘derevtsia’ (little trees), etc.
The most common in carving and inlay designs are graniform elements and motifs, which are also called ‘lystochky’ (leaves), ‘fasulky’ (beans), ‘zerniatka’ (grains).