Flower Pressing

By SHANNON CARR
Museum Assistant

The art of flower pressing has been around since early human civilization. Pressed laurels and garlands were even found in the 3,000-year-old coffin of Tutenkhamun’s mother in Egypt! However, the official art of pressing flowers to form decorative images originated in the 1500s and is called Oshibana. The art of Oshibana uses pressed flowers, petals and other plants to create a detailed image. Through interaction between Japan and Europe, Oshibana became a popular art in the Victorian era.

In the mid-1800s, discussions about flower pressing started appearing in texts and news reports all over the world. The unlimited resources and relative ease of flower pressing attracted middle- and upper-class Victorian ladies who were looking for new ways to express themselves artistically and interact with the natural world. During this period, flower pressing evolved into much more than just an art form. It became a way to document, preserve and record new or unseen plants and save special memories.  

Pressed flower craft Oshibana by Ukrainian artist-florist Tatiana Berdnik, https://sk.pinterest.com/pin/675962225292511290/.

Many books were published in the 1900s that challenged the hobbyist to make more complicated and detailed arrangements. Flower pressing also expanded various scientific fields by providing a means for explorers to preserve specimens with relative ease.

The art of flower pressing has been nearly unchanged from its original development, and it continues to be a rewarding and fun hobby. Make your own flower-pressed creation by following the steps below. Happy crafting!

Materials:

• Flowers
• Parchment Paper
• A heavy book (like a telephone book or a large dictionary)
• Weight

Directions:

1. Make sure that your flowers are completely dry.
2. Arrange your flowers face-down in your heavy book lined with parchment paper.
3. Close the book and place your weighted object directly on top.  
4. Leave your arrangement undisturbed and covered for 7 to 10 days.

TIP: Try looking for fallen petals and blooms at your local outdoor store for unique additions! 

Travel log entries by Gertrude Tredwell during a trip to the White Mountains and Northampton in July 1865, http://merchantshouse.org/tag/gertrude/