Vintage Rose Art Shadow Boxes

Description

When I first laid eyes on this pair of vintage rose art shadowboxes, I fell in love instantly because they really are so pretty and stunning in person. Not identical, each shadowbox complements the other and would look absolutely amazing positioned side by side on any wall. The material used to make the flowers appear to be some sort of mesh or jute fabric which really adds to the dimension of the roses. The roses and leaves (see up close pictures) look as though they are made with wire initially then wrapped in the fabric to create beautifully edged petals. The hand-dyed (light pinks and rosy taupe) floral designs have a beautiful, aged patina and look nice set against the cream colored background of similar material. The handcarved frame of the shadowbox is exquisite with gilt highlights and chiseled design element along the outer edge.

How amazing would this pair of large shadowboxes — with exquisite hand carved frames nonetheless — look in a contemporary, fresh, all white bedroom? They would be that vintage touch and unexpected twist a modern room requires. Read more about the ideas I have for these shadowboxes in my “Imagine This” blog post.

• Size: Each shadowbox measures approximately 29″H x 16.5″W x 4″D
• Artwork Material: wire, hand dyed hessian or loose mesh fabric such as a lightweight jute burlap,
• Frame Material: wood, gilt, glass
• Metal wire for hanging on the back.

Worth Noting

This pair of floral shadow boxes may have been made during the Victorian period for mourning. Before the days of photography there was a tradition of remembering departed loved ones with memorials, either shadow boxes or jewelry. Flowers have been used for centuries for religious offerings, decoration and memorials.  During the mid-1800s women often kept busy with various crafts like needlepoint, embroidery, bead-work and creating paper flowers.  Many books were available outlining the processes for many of these crafts at the time.  Often times real flowers did not survive the long trip to the cemetery making flower designs like this set a better choice; they would be used as casket and grave side decoration and were often preserved in homemade shadow boxes after the ceremony as a memorial to their loved one. Roses were one of the most popular flowers to create as they were beautiful and easy to make. Additionally, roses are a symbol of love and respect and were a popular flower to use in mourning.