Chapter 19: History of Floral Design

English-Georgian Period

(1714-1790). Floral styles during this period included simple hand-held bouquets that were carried for fragrance. Floral arrangements were symmetrical and ranged from small to large with great varieties of fragrant flowers. A variety of containers was used, including Wedgwood, metal, and glass

Cornucopia

A basket or other container shaped like a horn or cone overflowing with fruit and vegetables, flowers, foliage, and grain. Introduced during the Greek period, the cornucopia is known as the symbol for abundance. Also referred to as a horn of plenty. Floral arrangements are often made in cornucopia containers during the autumn, particularly for Thanksgiving

Modernistic Design

A contemporary floral arrangement expressing current trends and ideas

Free-form Expression

A design or method of arrangement that is not confined to any geometric shape or traditional technique and generally emphasizes line and texture

Wedgwood

A fine ceramic ware popular during the English-Georgian period, named after the English potter. Josiah Wedgwood. It depicted ancient Greek and Roman designs and was manufactured with special holes and openings for stems, specifically to hold flowers

Monobouquet

A floral arrangement that contains one type of flower in a vase (all stems are the same kind and color), and may contain minimum foliage and accessories that support and highlight the flower

Posy Holder

A hand-bouquet holder made from various materials. Manufactured to hold tied nosegays, making them less cumbersome and longer lasting.

Colonial Style

A hand-held bouquet and arrangement style that is typically rounded and massed, often combining fresh and dried flowers

Terra Cotta

A hard, brownish-red, usually unglazed earthenware used for containers and sculpture.

Ewer

A large water pitcher with a wide mouth, often used for holding flowers

European Style

A loose term generally referring to full, massed bouquets that use a great variety of flowers and colors, in contrast to the oriental style

Oriental Style

A loose term referring to line designs including both the Chinese and Japanese styles, as well as designs that resemble these styles. The oriental style uses few materials and emphasizes simplicity, form, line, and texture

Art Nouveau Period

A modern stylistic movement based on the flowing lines of nature that flourished principally in Europe and the United States around 1890-1910. These floral arrangements are often characterized by lavish cascading asymmetrical waterfall-style designs

Rennaissance

A period in Europe after the Middle Ages. Beginning in Italy in the 14th century, it was marked by a humanistic and classical period in which an unprecedented flourishing of the arts occurred. Floral arrangements characteristic of the this period were massed in tight symmetrical shapes. Colorful flowers were often combined with fruits and vegetables. Many types of containers were used including urns, jugs, and bowls. Also well known was a single stem of white lily (Madonna lily) in a simple container. Flowers were symbolic with religious themes.

Baroque Period

A powerful and imaginative art and design direction during the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe characterized by elaborate and massive decorative elements and curved rather than straight lines. A reaction against the severe classic style. Floral arrangements typical of this period are tightly massed and overflowing, displaying a rhythmic asymmetrical balance.

Chinese Style

A respected floral art form featuring unstructured, naturalistic designs using seasonal plant material. Arrangements are symbolic and generally include the use of a dominant vertical element and also the use of a more delicate horizontal element

Tussie-mussie

A small hand-held fragrant bouquet sometimes spelled tuzzy-muzzy. The word tuzzy refers to the old English word for a knot of flowers. Originally flower cluster stems were tied together. Later, holders were manufactured for ease of carrying and displaying these tight little bouquets. During the Victorian era, flowers were symbolic and these conveyed sentimental messages to loved ones

Dutch-Flemish Style

A style of floral arranging copied from the paintings of the artists of the 17th and 18th centuries. Typical floral arrangements are massed and overflowing with the use of many varieties and colors of flowers facing in all directions. For authenticity in recreating this style of design, many accessories are generally placed around a lavish floral bouquet, including fruits, bird's nests, and shells.

Art Deco

A term derived from the 1925 Paris exhibition Les Expositions des Arts Decoratifs; known during the 1920s and 1930s as modernistic. General term describing architecture, furniture, decorative arts, and floral arrangements having strong, streamlined geometric forms, lines, and patterns including zigzags, pyramids, and sunburst motifs. Floral designs feature geometrically bold containers and form flowers and foliage. The arrangements are formal linear or high style in appearance

Period Style

A term used to designate a single item or a complete arrangement style prevalent in a specific country at a particular time in history

Nosegay

A tight grouping of flowers, herbs, and foliage in a hand-held bouquet. Also called a tuzzy-muzzy, or tussiemussie, and posie bouquet

Sévres

A type of fine French porcelain, finely detailed, gilded, and hand painted, named for Sèvres, a suburb of Paris where it has been made since the 1700s

Bough Pot

A vase for branches for cut flowers. Historically, refers to the large containers used to hold flowers set in the fireplace of the drawing room during summer months.

Chaplet

A wreath or garland for the head, customarily made from flowers and foliage. Introduced in ancient times.

Garland

A wreath, woven chain, or festoon of flowers, leaves, or other materials worn on the head or used as decoration

French Period

Also known as the Grand Era, 17th and 18th centuries This style was influenced by the Dutch Flemish style, with emphasis on classic form, refinement, and elegance, rather than overdone flamboyance. Highly ornamental vases were used to hold tall fan-shaped, rounded, and triangular bouquets. This style was extravagant, using symmetry, shells, rocks, and all manner of elaborate decoration

Epergne

An ornamental stand with several separate dishes or trays used as a table centerpiece for holding fruit and flowers; popular during the Victorian era

Le Style 25

Another term for art deco

Egyptian Period

Approximately 2800-28 bce, the floral style was simplistic, repetitious, and highly stylized. Flowers and fruits were placed in carefully alternating patterns. Chaplets, wreaths, garlands, and flower collars were also popular

Earthenware

Containers, tableware, and other items made of coarse, brown or red clay. After firing, earthenware is porous and nondurable unless treated with a glazed finish. Generally, earthenware is coarse-textured and heavy

Roman Period

During this time (28 bce to a.d. 325), flowers were used to make garlands and wreaths. The use of plant material was more elaborate than in the previous Greek and Egyptian periods. Fragrance and bright colors were important for flowers

Containers, overall shape, types of flowers used, accessories, other plant material, Style of design

Factors that distinguish different Floral design eras

Victorian Era

Floral arrangements are characterized as being massive, overdone, and flamboyant. Containers were highly decorative and gaudy

Early American Style

Floral arrangements made in the Early American style are simple and charming, using native plant materials, such as wildflowers, weeds, and grains. Containers are generally simple utility jugs, pitchers, and other kitchenware made from pottery, copper, and pewter

Greek Period

Floral styles of this time (600-146 bce) were garlands and wreaths. Flowers were scattered on the ground during festivals. Fragrance and symbolism was of utmost importance.

Japanese Style

General term for a linear floral design characterized by three main lines or sections.

Faience

Glazed earthenware named for Faenze, Italy, where it was originally manufactured

Delfware

Glazed earthenware, also called delft, usually blue and white in color. It originated in Delft, a city in West Netherlands. A delftware brick is a rectangular box with a perforated top or grill for flowers. Originally produced in the late 1500s it again flourished into the mid-1700s. Delft of the early 1600s imitated Chinese porcelain.

Romantic Era

Name for the Victorian era in America, from about 1845 to 1900.

Bosom Bottle

Popular during the Victorian era, small containers made to hold flowers worn in the décolletage.

In order to attain professionalism, you must be aware of color trends, interior design, and fashion, not only of past floral periods but also of the present

Practical reason for knowing Floral art history

Neoclassic Style

Revival simulating the ancient classical designs of Greece and Rome; influenced by the French style of design; floral designs are generally symmetical, tall, and large, often pyramidal or fan-shaped; noted for using formal, elegant, and ornate containers. See Federal period and Greek revival

Bas-relief

Sculpture in which figures are carved in a flat surface so that they project slightly from the background.

Greek Revival

The final phase (1825-1845) of the neoclassic style in America; floral designs were generally large and symmetrical; containers reflected the classic styles of the Greek and Roman periods.

Décolletage

The neckline or top of a dress cut low to bare the neck and shoulders.

Middle Ages

The period of European history between ancient and modern times (a.d. 476-1450). Also known as the Medieval period and Dark Ages. Little is known of floral art during this time. However, fragrant flowers were highly favored for strewing on the ground, freshening the air, and for making wreaths and garlands.

Federal Period

The political, social, and decorative formation era in America following the Revolutionary War (1790-1825). Floral arrangements during this period were styled after ancient classic designs as well as elaborate European massed, symmetrical bouquets

Contemporary Style

Those arrangements that are currently in fashion, popular, and representative of leading trends in creativity. A generic term for whatever is the current trend or on the leading edge in floral design.

Byzantine Period

d Referring to Byzantium, an ancient city, and the Byzantine Empire in southeast Europe and southwest Asia (a.d. 395-1453). floral designs reflect the decorative style of the mosaics. Symmetrical, stylized tree compositions were introduced during this time, as evidenced through mosaics.