The History Of Silk Flowers
The flower offers such beauty that man has been trying to capture its' essence for centuries.
Materials such as glass, rice paper, shells and silkworm cocoons have been used to recreate their beauty.
Even though silk flowers are common place now, I believe that it is essential that we go back in time, and search out the history of them, for their beauty has won its way into our hearts and homes.
Silk fabric was first developed in China as early as 3500 BC.
It is believed that silk flowers originated in the imperial palace approximately 1,500 years ago.
In the Jin Dynasty a famous painting of Palace Ladies by Gu Kaizhi depicts the ladies wearing artificial flowers.
So such flowers are called palace flowers (gonghua).
That is why many believe that the silk flower was originally created in China.
The Chinese were known to possess a vast knowledge of extracting, weaving and dying silk and then using that silk for a multitude of different creations ranging from clothing to decorations.
In ancient Egypt, flowers were a central part of the culture.
It is believed that the first flower arrangements were done in Egypt.
Specific flowers were used to identify different parts of Egypt similar to how we use a State Flower today.
The Lotus was the symbol of Upper Egypt while the Papyrus was the symbol of Lower Egypt.
There is evidence that points to artificial flowers were also used as part of the dress and as decorations.
Although we know that the Chinese and the ancient Egyptian had artificial flowers, our recorded history only dates back to the 18th to the 19th centuries.
It is written that the Europeans wanted to capture the beauty of real flowers.
It is believed that the first flower was made of crepe paper or some kind of silk fabric in Paris, the homeland of many art forms.
Polymers and polymer-products were researched at great length in the early 20th century.
This product transformed the silk flower.
Other materials such as celluloid were used in creating strikingly beautiful blooms in the 1920s.
The use of celluloid was soon halted due to its combustible nature.
In the quest to find better materials, foam was introduced.
Foam sheets were cut thinly, as thin as real flower petals and vibrant colors added.
Even though foam flowers had taken over for a time they could never replace the realistic look of silk flowers.
Through the years artificial flowers have gone through many changes.
New scientific advancements have taken the silk flower in a new direction.
New blends of fabric, like cotton and polyester, have taken the place of silk.
This blend is as soft as silk, but it lasts longer.
Cotton and polyester are also much more cost effective to manufacture then real silk.
Because of this, more flowers are being produced.
We have learned that silk flowers have advanced through time, now we wait and see what other advancements are done to capture nature's beauty.
Materials such as glass, rice paper, shells and silkworm cocoons have been used to recreate their beauty.
Even though silk flowers are common place now, I believe that it is essential that we go back in time, and search out the history of them, for their beauty has won its way into our hearts and homes.
Silk fabric was first developed in China as early as 3500 BC.
It is believed that silk flowers originated in the imperial palace approximately 1,500 years ago.
In the Jin Dynasty a famous painting of Palace Ladies by Gu Kaizhi depicts the ladies wearing artificial flowers.
So such flowers are called palace flowers (gonghua).
That is why many believe that the silk flower was originally created in China.
The Chinese were known to possess a vast knowledge of extracting, weaving and dying silk and then using that silk for a multitude of different creations ranging from clothing to decorations.
In ancient Egypt, flowers were a central part of the culture.
It is believed that the first flower arrangements were done in Egypt.
Specific flowers were used to identify different parts of Egypt similar to how we use a State Flower today.
The Lotus was the symbol of Upper Egypt while the Papyrus was the symbol of Lower Egypt.
There is evidence that points to artificial flowers were also used as part of the dress and as decorations.
Although we know that the Chinese and the ancient Egyptian had artificial flowers, our recorded history only dates back to the 18th to the 19th centuries.
It is written that the Europeans wanted to capture the beauty of real flowers.
It is believed that the first flower was made of crepe paper or some kind of silk fabric in Paris, the homeland of many art forms.
Polymers and polymer-products were researched at great length in the early 20th century.
This product transformed the silk flower.
Other materials such as celluloid were used in creating strikingly beautiful blooms in the 1920s.
The use of celluloid was soon halted due to its combustible nature.
In the quest to find better materials, foam was introduced.
Foam sheets were cut thinly, as thin as real flower petals and vibrant colors added.
Even though foam flowers had taken over for a time they could never replace the realistic look of silk flowers.
Through the years artificial flowers have gone through many changes.
New scientific advancements have taken the silk flower in a new direction.
New blends of fabric, like cotton and polyester, have taken the place of silk.
This blend is as soft as silk, but it lasts longer.
Cotton and polyester are also much more cost effective to manufacture then real silk.
Because of this, more flowers are being produced.
We have learned that silk flowers have advanced through time, now we wait and see what other advancements are done to capture nature's beauty.
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