History of Floral Design
Why is History Important? §Helps designer have a better understanding of the origins of floral designs used today. §May have to create a design to complement a certain time period.
Two Original Styles §Occidental Style – evolved in Egyptian and Middle Eastern Cultures; further developed by the Europeans §Oriental-Began in China; later explored by Japanese
Egyptian Period § BC §arranged separate rows of different colored flowers in shallow bowls
Egyptian Period §Wore garlands or wreaths of flowers on their heads
Ancient Greeks § BC §Did not arrange flowers in vases, scattered blossoms on tables and on the streets
Ancient Greeks §Garland and wreaths worn during special occasions. §Presented as awards to athletes, statesmen and soldiers.
Ancient Greeks §First to have professional florist §The cornucopia (horn or plenty) was first introduced by the Greek culture
Romans §28 BC AD §scatter roses on banquet tables and on the floor §began arranging in a basket called a liknon
Byzantine Period § AD §introduced symmetrical, tree- style designs §flowers and fruit were used at regular intervals throughout design
Middle Ages § AD §very little is known about floral designs of this time period except what Persian art portrays
Renaissance § AD §designs were large, tall, pyramidal, and symmetrically balanced
Renaissance §flower arrangements were loose, uncrowded and airy §began to dry flowers by burying them in clean, sun- dried sand
Baroque Period § A.D. §Adopted asymmetrical curves in the shape of a crescent or an “s” §the Hogarthian curve is still popular today
Flemish-style § AD §beautifully captured by Dutch painters §traditional baroque styles were refined; not as loose and open
Flemish style §Tulips were used abundantly §first to combine mass designs of Romans with line designs of the Orient to form mass-line designs
English Georgian period § A.D. §nosegay, or handheld bouquet became stylish; carried by men due to lack of deodorants
Georgian period §small nosegay bouquets (tuzzy- muzzies) placed in bowls were the first use of table centerpieces as we know them today.
Victorian period § A.D. §Flowers were fashionable but designs were rather unappealing and poor §usually asymmetrical with no focal point.
Oriental Style-Chinese §Used for decorating alters in religious ceremonies performed by Buddhist priests. §Philosophies influencing these designs were Confucius, Buddhism, and symbolism that developed as folklore.
Chinese §Four season were usually portrayed by white-blossomed plum in the winter, the peony in spring, the lotus in summer, and mums in fall.
Oriental Style-Japanese §Japanese priest named Ikenabo refined the art. §Began the first school of floral art in Japan which bears his name.
Oriental Style §Name later changed to Ikebana which means “giving life to the flowers” or “arrangement of living plant material”.