History of Floral Design

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History of Floral Design

• Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Office
• June, 2002

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I. History of Floral Design

• A. Flower arranging is a work of art.

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We follow certain guidelines

• to properly arrange flowers so that they become
  a work of art. These guidelines are called
  principles of design.

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Basic laws

• fundamentals, truths or methods of operation that
  have been tested and proven for many centuries.

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Arrangements

• are judged by these principles.
• Tools that will guide in planning and evaluating
  arrangements.

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Concepts of floral design

• Two concepts developed independently of each
  other.
• Occidental Style evolved in Egyptian and Middle
  Eastern Cultures
• further developed by the Europeans

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Oriental Style

• began in China
• later explored by the Japanese

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Egyptian Period

• 2800-28BC
• arranged separate rows of different colored
  flowers in shallow bowls

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Egyptian period

• feast tables were often decorated with fruits and
  vegetables neatly piled in low baskets

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Egyptian Period

• several flowers were considered sacred,
  symbolizing Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
• Lotus and Water Lilies were placed in elaborate
  vases, bowls and jars

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Ancient Greeks

• 600-146 BC
• Did not arrange flowers in vases, scattered
  blossoms on tables and on the streets

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Ancient Greeks

• flowers were used to make garland and wreaths
  worn during special occasions.
• Presented as awards to athletes, statesmen and
  soldiers.

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Ancient Greeks

• the cornucopia (horn or plenty) was filled with
  fruits and vegetables and placed in an upright
  position rather than on its side as done today

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Romans

• 28 BC - 325 AD
• continued the customs of the Greeks
• arrangements and usage became more elaborate

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Romans

• scatter roses on banquet tables and on the floor
• scarves filled with blossoms were offered at an
  altar in Roman Religious Ceremonies

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Romans

• Wreaths and Garlands became more elaborate

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Byzantine Period

• 320-600 AD
• arrangements of cut flowers used again
• formal conical designs with clusters of blossoms
  at regular intervals

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Middle Ages

• 476-1600 AD
• very little is known about floral designs of this
  time period

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Renaissance

• 1400-1600 AD
• beautifully documented in paintings
• designs were large, tall, pyramidal, and
  symmetrically balanced

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Renaissance

• flower arrangements were loose, un-crowded and
  airy
• formal bouquets featured the most important
  flower situated centrally, at the top of the
  bouquet, with other flower heads turned outward.

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Renaissance

• flowers were arranged so that they were about
  twice the height of the container
• intense colors were used to create contrast with
  the white plastered walls of buildings

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Renaissance

• several traditional floral designs of today are
  styled after renaissance arrangements

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Baroque Period

• began as symmetrical, oval shaped designs
• asymmetrical curves in the shape of a crescent or
  an s were adopted later

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Baroque

• an abundance of flower types and colors were used
  together
• arrangements incorporated a variety of
  accessories such as figurines and butterflies

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Baroque

• the s curve and crescent arrangements developed
  during this period are popular today

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Flemish-style

• 1600-1750 AD
• beautifully captured by Dutch painters
• traditional baroque styles were refined

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Flemish style

• refined - not as loose and open
• better proportioned and more compact
• Rich colors and an array of flowers were combined
  into masses, oval shape bouquets.

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Flemish style

• The French developed mass arrangements during the
  same time that were lighter and more airy than
  those of the Dutch.
• Arrangements were made from delicate flowers in
  light pastel colors.

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Georgian period

• 1714-1760 A.D.
• Time period that spanned the reigns of the
  English kings George I and George II
• Arrangements were greatly influenced by Chinese
  arts.

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Georgian period

• Usually symmetrical and triangularly shaped.
• Many featured a single flower type.
• Designs moved away from formality and symmetry in
  the late part of the period.

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Georgian period

• nosegay, or handheld bouquet became stylish
• small nosegay bouquets placed in bowls were the
  first use of table centerpieces as we know them
  today.

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Georgian period

• Georgian art influenced the decorative arts in
  Colonial America.
• Fan shaped and triangular arrangements were made
  and sometimes placed the center of interest near
  the rim of the container.

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Georgian period

• boxwood, ivy, and magnolia were used with garden
  flowers in the summer
• berries, cones, greens with fruit were used
  during the winter along with dried flowers.

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Victorian period

• 1820-1914 A.D.
• Flowers were fashionable but designs were rather
  unappealing.
• Improperly proportioned

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Victorian period

• large amounts of flowers cramped into a container
  to create a compact arrangement
• usually asymmetrical with no focal point.

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Victorian period

• many different flower types and colors used,
  arrangements looked unplanned.
• Rules for flower arranging were established
  toward the end of the Victorian period.

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Oriental Style

• Began in India where Buddhist priests scattered
  branches and stem on altar or placed them in
  pottery urns.
• Modified by the Chinese during the first century
  A.D.

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Oriental Style

• Arranged flowers in massive bronze vessels
• Felt it was improper to place flowers carelessly
  on the altar.
• Created symbolic arrangements
• Bright colors were favored.

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Oriental Style

• Usually large and symmetrical with one or two
  types of foliage and flowers placed around a
  central branch.
• Lightest colors were used at outer portions of
  design, darker ones kept nearest the base.

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Oriental Style

• Sixth Century A.D. Japanese adopted many aspects
  of the Chinese culture, including floral
  arrangement.
• Japanese priest named Ikenabo refined the art.

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Oriental Style

• His instruction was sought by other Buddhist
  priests.
• Began the first school of floral art in Japan
  which bears his name.

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Oriental Style

• Name later changed to Ikebana which means giving
  life to the flowers.

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Oriental Style

• Many schools of Japanese flower arrangements have
  evolved from this original one, the basic
  principles can be traced back to Ikenaba.

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Oriental Style

• Japanese designs are characterized by minimum use
  of plant material and careful placement of
  branches and flowers.
• Each placement and angle has meaning.

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Oriental Style

• This type of arrangement became known as line
  arrangement

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European Style

• generally large, round or oval mass of flowers
• flower placement is not rigidly dictated as in
  oriental design

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European Style

• known as mass arrangements
• most floral designs in the US are referred to as
  line mass and combine Oriental and European
  ideas

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European Style

• American floral design uses more materials than
  the Oriental but far fewer than the European
• US floral design is often built around linear
  patterns, showing the Oriental influence.