Quilling is a lovely old art form which some believe may date back to
ancient Egypt. It has been known by many names including paper-rolling,
paper-scrolling, filigree, paper mosaic. It is theorized that early quillers
rolled their papers on a feather, or quill, hence the name quilling. Through
the years its popularity has waxed and waned.
French and Italian nuns during the 16th and 17th centuries, decorated reliquaries and holy pictures with quilling. During the regency and Victorian eras, young ladies of affluence were taught paper filigree just as they were taught needlework. They decorated furniture, tea caddies, and boxes which were made with recessed sides specifically to accommodate quilling. The quilling during this period was quite “heavy” by our standards. Every inch of space was covered with tiny coils and shapes. Mica, wax chips and flaked shells were often added. References to quilling and patterns were published in magazines in the 1700s.
French and Italian nuns during the 16th and 17th centuries, decorated reliquaries and holy pictures with quilling. During the regency and Victorian eras, young ladies of affluence were taught paper filigree just as they were taught needlework. They decorated furniture, tea caddies, and boxes which were made with recessed sides specifically to accommodate quilling. The quilling during this period was quite “heavy” by our standards. Every inch of space was covered with tiny coils and shapes. Mica, wax chips and flaked shells were often added. References to quilling and patterns were published in magazines in the 1700s.
