Decoration and Paper Filigree

 Anne here, talking about the gentle art of decoration,with a small nod to Christmas decoration. Crafting one's own decorations has a long history and I can't possibly do justice to it in one post. So today, I'll just concentrate on one kind of craft —  paper filigree work or paper scrolling, or as it's  called in the US, quilling — and explore a little of its history.

I first came across paper filigree as part of the research I was doing for a book. As happens with so much research, I never ended up using it. For those of you who have read my Merridew sisters books, the original idea was that each sister would have a handcraft of their own. I can't recall now which sister turned magazines into paper filigree items of great beauty and uselessness, but I do remember that little Grace, who had a macabre streak, was going to be involved with hairwork -- items made from plaited, twirled and woven human hair. But I shall spare you that today, and concentrate on paper filigree, which also can be used to make beautiful and useful Christmas decorations.  

What is quilling or paper filigree?

It's the rolling up of long thin strips of paper around a quill, needle or specially made tool, and the arrangement of the resultant little scrolls in a decorative pattern. Sounds a bit dull, doesn't it? Well the process might be simple, but the results can be very far from dull. Take a look at this superb Georgian tea caddy: all that decoration you see around the painting is paper filigree work, made from tiny rolled strips of paper. 

To see how it's done, there's a video here.

A brief history of paper filigree.

Paper filigree work is said by some to date back to ancient Egypt, but most examples in museums date from the medieval period and come from monks and nuns. Paper was a precious, handmade commodity and the copying of ancient manuscripts was one of the tasks of some cloistered religious houses. It is easy to imagine nuns looking for ways to use the precious strips of paper that would be left after pages were cut. The inspiration for paper filigree came from wire and metal filigree: paper could be painted or gilded to look like precious metal. Museums in Europe have numerous examples of icons, reliquaries (containers for relics) and the frames of holy pictures decorated with paper filigree work. Click here to see some beautiful examples.

 If you want to learn more, there is an excellent history here and another one here.

The effect of industrialization 

Industrialization made paper more widely and cheaply available and, as ladies of the leisured class sought occupation and an outlet for their creativity, quilling grew in popularity. It was popular throughout the Georgian, Regency and Victorian eras. Paper filigree patterns were published in ladies' periodicals with designs for baskets, screens, panels, game boards, coats of arms, tea caddies, work boxes, cabinets, picture frames and more. The Brontes and Jane Austen referred to it in their works.  In Sense and Sensibility,  Lady Middleton told Lucy, ‘I am sure it must hurt your eyes to work filigree by candlelight.’ Paper filigree was even taught to young ladies in schools as part of their education.

 Even Royalty caught the craze.

   In 1791, at age 21, Princess Elizabeth, daughter of George III, worked on a box made especially for filigree work by Charles Elliott, a royal furniture maker. It had ebony molding, a lock and key, it was lined inside and out, and came with 15 ounces of filigree paper as well as an ounce of gold paper (obviously, for the Princess, the paper was pre-cut)

Modern revival

Today, paper filigree is experiencing a revival and some beautiful modern designs are being created. How is this for an outline of the New York skyline?
To see the NY skyline quilling in more detail, go here. 

And since Christmas is almost upon us, here are some lovely Christmas designs, from here, here and here.
 

If you'd like some instructions for making a quilled card, there's a pretty poinsettia one on this lovely blog. As for me, I like Christmas crafts, but I have less time for it now I'm writing. I've gone for a minimalist approach to Christmas decorations this year and I blogged about it here.

So, let's talk. Have you ever tried  paper filigree work? Are you a crafty type or not? And if so, what do you make? Is there a favorite decoration you bring out each year?
   

Comments

[Andrea Penrose]

Thanks, Anne! This is absolutely fascinating! I love handmade things, and the examples you show are wonderful. Alas, between writing and other things in life, I don't have time to do things like this anymore. But it's fun to look. Maybe some day!

[maryjoputney]

As a child, I remember making snowflakes that were a modest version of the amazing papercutting samples you've show here. With a snowflake, the hardest part was folding the paper into six sections that were more or less equal. Then--cutting time!

The results were always pretty, especially is using foiled paper, but I can see that our goals were much too modest!

Mary Jo

[Sherrie Holmes]

Anne, I'm a rubber stamper, and quilling is quite popular with stampers. I love the look of it and the delicacy of design, but I'm not sure I'd have the patience for it.

I like the paper ornaments you've made, and I think that's more to my liking. But I do love the look of quilling. Your examples were exquisite and your post fascinating! ~Sherrie

[Susan/DC]

I have no small motor skills at all. When I look at all the beautiful quilling designs I quite regret that lack. Somehow my skills at Excel spreadsheets don't have quite the same esthetic appeal.

[Susan/DC]

P.S. Also meant to say thank you to Anne for posting about a topic of which I knew nothing but am now quite enthralled.

[Anne Gracie]

Cara/Andrea, the internet is a wonderful place for those who like crafts but don't have time. There are some blogs, like the one I linked to at the bottom of the post, where you can happily scroll through posts, going ooh and ahh. You come away with your inner artist inspired and refreshed without ever having to produce something that bears but a faint, crumpled resemblance to the item in the picture.

Susan, the same goes for you. And btw I think that Excel spreadsheets could make very spiffy decorations, in the right hands. ;)
It is fascinating. The books I used for the original research had the most amazing photos. I was particularly stunned by the furniture that used paper filigree as decoration.

[Anne Gracie]

Mary Jo, I don't think your childhood efforts would have been too modest at all -- there is something wonderful about making things yourself, and I know part of my Christmas ritual is to put out handmade decorations that were done by a small child, now grown.
And I was so touched when I was clearing out my father's desk after his death, to find he'd kept some hand made cards from me.

[Anne Gracie]

Sherrie, your hand made stamped cards are just stunning!
People can see them here:
http://newsfromtheholmestead.blogspot.com/

[Keira Soleore]

Anne, I have no talent or patience for painstaking work. I like scrapbooking and make one ornament for my daughter every Christmas. My sole talent lies in appreciating works of art, and filligree work whether in paper, ivory, or stone is to be lauded with the highest praise.

[Anne Gracie]

Keira, I love that you make something special for your daughter each year. They will be such wonderful family heirlooms.

[Louise Reynolds]

Anne,
Lovely topic. It just seems so nice that rather than running around buying loads of lurid, over-priced stuff like we do now women actually sat down and made decorations. And they became much loved heirlooms. I used to love making tree decorations - shortbread cookies on red ribbons, little wrapped gift boxes, all sorts of inexpensive things that took a little trouble and were very individual. Merry Christmas, everyone.

[Nicola Cornick]

What an absolutely fascinating post, Anne. Alas, I have no skill at all when it comes to creating craft items but I admire those who do and this work is exquisite.

[Jean M.]

What a nice Christmas present talking about how people have used their skills & creativity through the years until now. I loved it! I have had people i my life who could do most anything with their hands. Me, I always said I flunked cutting in kindergarten. :) So, this year I was enlisted to help figure out how to cut snowflakes. Wonder of wonders, I actually cut some pretty ones! It was fun & a hoot seeing all "the different ones"!! Happy happy time with loved ones! Merry Christmas to all you talented writers & readers! Happy New Year, too!

[Anne Gracie]

Louise, in the last few years I've really pared down on the rushing around and shopping for Christmas. Most people I know have too much "stuff" anyway, and presents only add to it.
So I now "buy" people goats and chickens from sites such as OxFam, and give them a card and something home-made -- cookies, sweets, preserves, a home made Christmas decoration - something small and personal.
Of course, they could argue that I'm only adding to their weight instead of their "stuff." LOL

[Anne Gracie]

Nicola, those wooden boxes and items of furniture that use paper filigree are particularly stunning, I think. Now that you know what to look for, you might spot some in your wanderings through stately homes. If you do, I'd love to see some photos.

Jean, believe it or not, I'm not a precision crafter at all -- my mother used to say I have a tendency to slapdashery ;) But some things are doable by pretty much anyone and I think it's just a matter of finding the right things and clear instructions. And having a go. The crafts-with-instructions I post are always very doable — I try them myself first to check. On my personal blog I put some Christmas decorations I made this year and a few people said they'd never be able to make them. But I urged them to try, and to their amazement, they could.

It's Christmas morning here in Australia, so I'd best get on with the day. Merry Christmas.

[Nancy]

I've done quilling before but alas I also am not very creative. It's very tedious. Not as popular now as in the late 70's & early 80's is macreme. It's very easy to tie knots and projects can be as simple or involved as you want. I got several books and once I got the hang of it, I went to town! I started with basic plant hangers then moved on to hanging tables, shelves, diaper hangers and baby mobiles. I made 28 plant hangers in 30 days one year for Christmas presents. Last year I bought a paper making kit and made my own Christmas cards. Quilling can be incorporated into them. Also, making the paper, you can add flower seeds with instructions to put the paper in dirt and add water (thanks to American Spirit Tobacco Company for the idea). Merry Christmas to everyone!

[Anne Gracie]

Nancy, 28 hangers in 30 days -- wow!
My mother took up macrame in a big way around that time. It was the year of the explosion of hanging plants in our house -- the plants needed to justify the macrame hangings. LOL I expect my older sisters got lots for Christmas as well. I was living at home still then.

I make my own Christmas cards, too, usually, though I don't make the actual card. I've always wanted to try making my own paper. Hand made paper can look so beautiful. Then again, I really don't need another craft. ;)

[Patricia Barraclough]

Actually did a little quilling a long time ago. Have tried my hand a a variety of crafts and enjoyed most of them.
Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

[Jo Beverley]

Coming in late, but yes, I've tried quilling. It's sort of fun. It really helps to get the prepared paper because cutting strips of even width is the trick, I found, and not so much fun.

Didn't do much with it. I was just playing to see how it worked. I think simple and cheap ways to make beautiful things was much appreciated in times past, and we've lost both the time and the need, which is sad.

There are quite a few quilled boxes at the Lady Lever Gallery in Port Sunlight on the Wirrall.

Thanks for mentioning it, Anne.

Jo

[Anne Gracie]

Patricia and Jo, it's interesting that so many people have tried it at one stage or another. Possibly because it's so simple to do-- no special equipment needed.

Jo, I'm sighing at the beautiful name of the place, Port Sunlight on the Wirral. Thanks for dropping in.