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Greetings Card

1860-1880 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This German greetings card from about 1850–75 shows female figures as violets, hiding beneath foliage. Traditionally, violets have symbolised faithfulness and modesty. Some flowers can have a symbolic meaning, like the lily and the rose, which are both associated with the Virgin Mary. The nineteenth century created a complete and now almost forgotten ‘language of flowers’, in which every plant had a distinct character and sentimental meaning.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Colour lithograph and paper lace
Brief description
One of nine greeting cards with anthropomorphised flower designs, Germany, 1860-1880
Physical description
Colour-printed greetings card, showing a flower in human form, with embossed paper lace edging.
Dimensions
  • Highest point height: 11.7cm
  • Widest point width: 7.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
Veilchen
Gallery label
NINE PRINTED CARDS German, about 1850-75 Colour-printed card with embossed paper lace Some flowers can have a symbolic meaning, like the lily and the rose which are both associated with the Virgin Mary. The nineteenth century created a complete and now almost forgotten 'language of flowers', in which every plant had a distinct character and sentimental meaning. Here, the plants have actually become people. E.2327, 2329-32, 2334, 2336, 2337, 2342 - 1953
Credit line
Bequeathed by Guy Little
Object history
Some flowers can have a symbolic meaning, like the lily and the rose which are both associated with the Virgin Mary. The nineteenth century created a complete and now almost forgotten 'language of flowers' in which every plant had a distinct character and sentimental meaning. Here the plants have actually become people.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This German greetings card from about 1850–75 shows female figures as violets, hiding beneath foliage. Traditionally, violets have symbolised faithfulness and modesty. Some flowers can have a symbolic meaning, like the lily and the rose, which are both associated with the Virgin Mary. The nineteenth century created a complete and now almost forgotten ‘language of flowers’, in which every plant had a distinct character and sentimental meaning.
Collection
Accession number
E.2332-1953

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Record createdJuly 18, 2005
Record URL
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