Object Details
- Description
- An artificial Victorian evergreen tree made from goose feathers. The tree has seven layers of branches with dyed-green feathers. The layers are supported by a wooden pole that is anchored in a square pot. The pot is painted red with a central floral medallion surrounded by holly and berries on each face. American Christmas traditions with plants and flowers are based on a collection of various immigrant traditions brought over from their native cultures. As a result of their plant lore, holy, ivy, laurel, pine cones, straw, poinsettia, yule logs, and, most notably, the Christmas tree became tied to the American conception of the holiday.
- Label Text
- Artificial flowers and trees have a long history. They were made by the ancient Chinese and the Greeks. For centuries, artificial flowers abd trees have been made from pottery, enamel, metal, feathers, paper, and many other materials. Creating artificial trees is a meticulous art form. Every branch, stem, and leaf must be cut, shaped, painted, and carefully assembled by hand. Part of the appeal of artificial flowers and trees is their permanence and unblemished beauty.
- Credit Line
- Smithsonian Gardens, Horticultural Artifacts Collection.
- Nineteenth century
- Period
- Victorian (1837-1901)
- Accession number
- 1986.024
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- Artificial flowers and trees
- Medium
- Goose feathers, wood
- Dimensions
- 43 × 19 in. (109.2 × 48.3 cm)
- See more items in
- Horticultural Artifacts Collection
- Smithsonian Gardens
- Topic
- featherwork
- trees
- Victoriana
- Record ID
- hac_1986.024
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/aq46aebdea3-e690-49ad-8d84-fbd3685f4832
