The History of Floral Design Imagine that your whole town is covered by volcanic ash by a recent volcano. Each person was frozen where they were and didn’t have any time to get out-just like Pompeii. They didn’t have an opportunity to explain any of the common everyday items we use today. 100 years from now, there is a huge archaeological dig and they find your whole town buried. They find numerous items, and start categorizing them according to their function. Some items they get right, and some they don’t. This is a lot like identifying historical items. Most of the time we get the items right, but sometimes we have to make an educated guess as to what the function was. There aren't’ any people from that era to ask about the items we find. To help us understand floral history we look at art history as floral history closely correlates with art history. Most art shows how people used flowers.

“Everything that is old is new again.” Explain: “Everything that is old is new again.” This certainly applies to fashion and floral design. We tend to see these areas “recycle” looks and practices of the past. The basic historical periods of design that we are going to look at are: Classical which is made of Egyptian and Roman European-Italian, Dutch, English (early and Victorian) and French American-Colonial, Victorian, Modern Oriental-Japanese

Objectives Summarize the history of floral design Identify design characteristics of historical design periods Explain how flowers were used based upon historical time frames

Basic History Arranging flowers dates back to ancient cultures Flowers have long been used for decoration and adornment Floral design is rich in its heritage and historical traditions. Knowing and appreciating the history of floral design is essential for professional floral designers. A study of the past eras of floral design not only reveals the development and relationship of past styles to present styles, but also provides an understanding of the plant materials that were available and how they were chosen and combined in designs during those periods. Studying historical floral designs provides inspiration and a wealth of ideas for contemporary designers. No one knows when humans first enjoyed and used flowers in a decorative way, but many historians agree that floral decoration is as old as civilization itself. From the dawn of recorded history, when humans began to till the soil, flowers have been used to beautify the surroundings, to express feelings, and to adorn important ceremonies. Neolithic cave drawings show that even during the Stone Age, flowers were contemplated, perhaps even revered.

Basic History Awareness and appreciation for floral arrangements is increased by looking at historical paintings, engravings, tapestries, or other works of art Kinds of flowers, foliage used, arrangement design, and containers all influence the various floral arrangements over time Ancient Egyptians used bowls of lotus blossoms at banquets and offered vases of flowers as tributes during ceremonies. Flowers were also significant during Greek and Roman times. They were woven into garlands and wreaths and then worn. The influence of flowers has been felt throughout history by many people and cultures. Each historical period of floral design influenced and contributed to contemporary floral design. We will highlight some of the major eras of floral design history, from early Egyptian, Greek, and Roman designs to the influence of China and Japan. The Italian Renaissance, European Baroque, and Dutch Flemish styles are presented, as well as the French, English, Victorian eras, and the floral design history of North America.

Period Style This term is used to designate a single item or a complete arrangement style prevalent in a specific country at a particular time in history Gaining knowledge of floral styles and traditions of past eras helps to create compositions that express a unique feeling of another time and place

Period Style Some floral compositions must harmonize with a period-style room, or perhaps an ancient history museum, or a hotel lobby style

Flower Art in Ancient Civilizations Egyptian Greek Roman Byzantine The early eras of floral design record the significant use of flowers in religious ceremonies, festivals, and for personal enjoyment. The early use and enjoyment of flowers during the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman periods are quite similar.

Egyptian Period 2800 - 28 BC Cut flowers were used as decorations Flowers were important in life events such as religious ceremonies, decorative purposes, and personal adornment Floral decorations include chaplets, wreaths, garlands, and flower collars The Egyptians were the first people recorded who decorated by placing cut flowers in vases for festivals and ceremonies. Garlands and wreaths adorned banquet rooms and people alike. Characteristic of this period was simplicity and highly stylized repetition. The use of wreaths and garlands in contemporary culture resulted from the Egyptian era influence. From well preserved tomb pictures and Egyptian art, history records that the ancient Egyptians loved flowers and often used them for personal adornment and gifts and during festivals, burial processions, and ceremonies. The lotus flower is found as early as 2500 B.C. in Egyptian art. Vases and bowls of fragrant flowers and baskets or bowls of fruit and vegetables were offered as tributes or temple offerings during ceremonies or used to decorate banquet tables. Flowers, foliage, and fruits were often woven or tied together, sometimes sewn into place, on collars, wreaths, and garlands. Chaplets, which were garlands or wreaths worn on a person’s head, were also popular. Garlands and wreaths were given as gifts, worn for personal adornment, and used as offerings in festivals and ceremonies.

Egyptian Period Favored containers were wide mouthed vases, jars, and bowls made of molded glass, pottery, metals, and stones Floral art was simplistic, repetitious, and highly stylized Primary colors (red, blue, yellow) were common For containers, a simple wide-mouthed basin or bowl was the favorite choice, although artifacts include vases, jars, and bowls in alabaster, dark green diorite, faience, slate, bronze, silver, and pottery. Metal loops or frogs were often attached to the bottom of the basin to hold flowers in place. The Egyptians valued repetition; flowers and/or fruit were carefully alternated in rows in repeating patterns. A typical Egyptian floral design would be grouped in the orderly sequence of water lily/leaf/bud/leaf/water lily/leaf/bud, etc., set around the rim of a wide-mouthed basin or bowl. Flowers in garlands and wreaths were arranged in orderly sequences of colors and shapes. The preferred colors were bright, strong, vivid colors of medium value, such as midnight blue, green, red, burgundy red, yellow, gold, rose, purple, and black, as opposed to tints or tones, such as blue turquoise. The only exception was the lotus, which was a delicate pink and blue. Flowers and fruit were arranged in a sequence of alternating colors. Contemporary florists who wish to accessorize Egyptian-style designs might select any of the following to achieve the proper effect. Potted palms, slender columns, or small tomb artifact reproductions with backgrounds of gauze drapes, wallpaper, or prints with simple repetitive patterns of appropriate colors or with hieroglyphics on them would be appropriate. A backdrop suggesting stone relief or a carved stone typical of Egyptian art would also be appropriate.

( were considered sacred) Egyptian Period -Acacia -Roses -Water lilies -Violets -Madonna lilies -Narcissus -Jasmine -Poppies -Lotus blossom ( were considered sacred) The plant materials used by Egyptians were the water-loving ones that flourished in the fertile Nile Valley. Examples include acacia, anemone, bachelor’s button, bittersweet, celosia, chamomile, fig, gladiolus, grapes, iris, ivy, jasmine, lily, the sacred lotus, lupine, marsh grass, narcissus, oleander, palm, papyrus, pomegranate, poppy, rose, and water lily.

Greek Period 600 – 146 B.C. Flowers and petals were scattered on grounds during festivals and used to make wreaths and garlands Greek designs expressed grace and simplicity Color was not important The flowers, fragrance, and symbolism associated with each flower were foremost importance Often symbolic of a god or hero

Greek Period Flowers to wear were important, such as: wreaths, chaplets, and garlands Wreaths were the symbol of allegiance and dedication, and were so important that books were written about the proper etiquette for wearing them Awarded to honor athletes, poets, civic leaders, victorious soldiers and other heroes. Worn at weddings and used to decorate interiors and exteriors of homes, statues, and graves.

GreekPeriod The cornucopia was introduced in this period (also called the horn of plenty) and was upright with flowers, fruits, and vegetables, to associate a bountiful autumn harvest

Using your electronic device… What was the first professional florists called?

Greek Period Greeks were the first of have professional florist… Garland Makers

Greek Period Roses Hyacinths Honeysuckle Violets Lilies Tulips Larkspur Marigolds

Roman Period 28 - 325 A.D. The Romans continued with the customs of the Greeks. Garlands, wreaths and crowns were more elaborate than those of the Greeks. Crowns and garlands were tapered. Fragrant flowers with bright colors were favored including rose blossoms and petals scattered on banquet tables, streets, and lakes during festivals and ceremonies

Roman Period Baskets of mixed flowers were introduced with roses, anemones, tulips, dianthus, and other flowers in combinations of colors and forms – this is the first representation of a truly naturalistic flower bouquet. While they carried on many Greek traditions, the Romans had more complex arrangements. Baskets of mixed flowers were introduced with roses, anemones, tulips, dianthus, and other flowers in combinations of colors and forms – this is the first representation of a truly naturalistic flower bouquet

Roman Festivals Roman Goddess Flora The city was decorated in flowers… Custodian of blossoming plants Floralia Festival The city was decorated in flowers… This festival is still held in most countries and is called???

Roman Festivals May Day

Roman Period Roses Poppy Amaranths Crocus Narcissi Oleanders Ivy Violets Lily Poppy Amaranths Ivy Myrtle Honeysuckle Laurel

Byzantine Period 320-600 AD This was in the Eastern Roman empire and Southwest Asia. Continued Roman designs Architecture had huge domes, spires, minarets, and use of mosaic tiles

Spires Minarets

Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic Tiles

Byzantine Period Formality came about. Symmetrical, stylized tree compositions and containers filled with foliage to represent conical trees were introduced Changed construction of garlands to be narrow bands of flowers or fruit alternated with foliage

Byzantine Period

Review Cornucopia is also referred to as… What do we refer to to increase our awareness and appreciation of floral history? What period was characterized by floral art that was simplistic, repetitious, and highly stylized? What were the first professional florists? Horn of plenty historical paintings, engravings, tapestries, or other works of art Egyptian

Review Wreaths were the symbol of ____________ and ______________. Floral arrangements characterized as symmetrical, stylized tree compositions and containers filled with foliage to represent conical trees were introduced during this period? 1. allegiance and dedication 2. Byzantine