According to various archaeological finds, it is believed that man has been replicating nature since the beginning of time. Replicas of flowers have been found in old caves. Sure, they weren’t as refined as the silk flowers of today but they were the beginning of this kind of décor.
Even the Ancient Egyptians made replicas of flowers and leaves with thin slivers o horn. The horn was then stained with different dyes to give it that amazing colour. Other floral designs were made from silver, copy, and gold plated materials. These replicas were often fashioned into floral crowns that were worn during special events. As for the Romans, they enjoyed working with wax. They also made headdresses out of silver and gold which were greatly admired.
In the 1100s, silk flowers became extremely popular as a result of Italians mastering the art of working with silkworm cocoons. The silk was transformed into flowers before it was dyed and sold. During the 1300s the French worked towards improving this craft by using a better quality silk and thereby creating more realistic-looking flowers.
The French who moved and resettled in England introduced this trade to the country and by the 1800s, the English settlers who made their way to America were also mastering this craft. During the Victorian Era, both fresh and silk flower bouquets were the most sought after form of décor. Flowers were a significant part of everybody’s lives and the language of flowers allowed people to send messages to one another simply by sending a bouquet.
During the 1900s, artificial flowers took a new form. They were no longer limited to using silk and other materials like nylon, cotton, sateen, and paper were all becoming increasingly popular too. Even today we still see continued experimentation with new techniques and materials designed to improve the quality of the artificial flower.
Today, the term silk flowers is used rather loosely and can refer to artificial flowers that aren’t even made from real silk. There are cheap flowers and expensive ones to choose from. Obviously, the higher the quality of the design and material, the more expensive the flower will be. For many, investing in a slightly higher priced bouquet is worth it for the sake of a more realistic appearance. For others, their artificial arrangements are set far from the eye and they may not need the most perfect looking blooms. No matter the needs of the buyer, there are several options to suit everyone’s preferences and budget.
