Diane's Fine Things: Victorian History

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QUEEN VICTORIA

England's Queen Victoria became a model of virtue, thus, the word Victorian has become synonymous for virtue, modesty and respectability. The Victorian Era (1837-1901) brought with it opulence and gracious living. To enhance the décor with richness, delicate pastel fabriques, ribbon and fabulous

laces took months of work to produce. They were expressive, and expensive, thus very much in demand. The boudoir, a private place of refuge, was especially enhanced with many items made with these "frilly niceties". Their presence in the living quarters expressed something personal and unique.

VICTORIAN TIMES

Victorian women (and Victorian men) were very much like Americans today. Not since the so-called "Victorian Era" have Americans put so much time, money, and energy into beautifying and improving their living environments.

"Victorian Times" were a time of great change and growth on a global scale--much like the world today. Foreign trade agreements, cultural exchanges, new technologies, civil unrest, and an abundance of artistic and creative outlets were all characteristics of "Victorian Times." The Victorian period incorporates The Age of Liberalism & Nationalism (1826-1850) and The Age of Imperialism (1875-1900).

By the 1840s and through 1900, home furnishings and accessories of all kinds also became accessible to poorer Americans. Even in frontier homes you could expect to find fine china dishes, for instance. Much like today, Americans in the last century wanted to "look" wealthy and fashionable even when they could not afford it. The ability to buy things on credit, for instance, was an increasingly common request by consumers.

DECOUPAGE

Decoupage is a creative, decorative and timeless art form with its roots in Venice of 300 years ago. 18th Century Decoupage is the most elegant and beautiful of all forms of decoupage and laid paper crafts. It is absolutely timeless and pieces will still be around for hundreds of years to come. The stylish appearance of decoupage is mellow and usually antique in character.

The Victorian Era

This era gets it's name from England's Queen Victoria, who ascended the throne in 1837 at the age of 18. Victoria was the only child of Edward, Duke of Kent (a son of George III) and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg. Her father died while she was a child and she came to the throne after the deaths of her uncles, William IV (king from 1830 - 1837) and his predecessor George IV (king from 1820 - 1830).

Victoria, herself, was often an influence on fashion and jewelry styles and this was particularly so during the early years of her reign.

Examples of Victorian Symbolism

Pearls = Tears

Ivy = Friendship, fidelity, or marriage

Fern = Fascination

Bluebells = Constancy

Forget Me Nots = Remembrance

Salamanders, Lizards = Passionate Love (it was believed that this animal could survive fire)

Dogs = Fidelity

Butterfly = Soul

Arrows = Love (Cupid's arrows)

Doves = Domesticity

Daisy = Innocence

Harp = Ireland or Constant Love

Lilac = First feelings of Love

Mistletoe = A kiss

Clasped Hands = Friendship or Lasting Love

Musical Instruments = Harmony

Fly = Humility

Wishbone = Wish and Hope

Flaming Heart = Passionate Love

Crowned Heart = Love Triumphant

Roses = many meanings, depending of the type of bloom and color. (One book of the era lists 35 different meanings for different roses).

Hygiene of the Toilet Bathing

Home Decoration,

September 15, 1888

Dr. Mary Taylor Bissell

The benison of mankind upon the man who first invented bathing! Luxury, however, has so overlaid his simple idea of a cool plunge in a neighboring stream that he would scarcely recognize his invention in the intricacies and elegant details of a modern Turkish or Roman bath.

Civilization is not an unmixed evil, and many of these luxurious details are useful and hygienic as well as elegant. Bathing, like other hygienic measures, must be regulated by the condition of the bather and the season of the year, and in this matter many people have idiosyncrasies which it is not prudent to disregard. A bath too hot or too cold will make some individuals miserable for a day, and such people will do well to familiarize themselves with the temperatures of simple baths.

A cold bath has a temperature of from 33 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperate bath from 75 to 85 degrees ; a tepid bath rises to 85 or 92 while a warm one reaches from 92 to 98. At 98 a bath is hot, but it may sometimes be raised as high as 112, under direction. Each of these temperatures has its useful function, but, as already intimated, cannot be used with the same impunity by all.

There is little fear but that my readers are in the habit of bathing often enough. I believe, indeed, that occasionally we meet with some delicate woman who bathes too often. The amount of reaction that follows a bath is the general test of its healthfulness. The cold tub bath or plunge cannot be recommended to many women. Water below 65 degrees Fahrenheit is a considerable shock to most people, from which reaction is difficult. It is true that sea-bathing is generally much colder than the average cool bath at home, but there is the additional stimulation to the skin.

Pink Tea Parties:

Host a Pink Tea Party

From "Aunt Babette's Cook Book," 1889

"Pink Teas," just now so fashionable, are rather novel if carried out to the letter, and an expensive way of entertaining, too; yet, as the old saying is, one might as well be dead as out of fashion. So all those who wish to be fashionable come and listen, and I will give you a few hints in regard to getting up a 'Pink Tea.' As a matter of course the table linen should be pink; the dishes also of a delicate pink shade, which you may borrow for the occasion. Arrange the white cakes on high cake-stands, lined with fancy pink paper, or pink napkins, and put the pink frosted cakes on low cake stands lined with fancy white paper or napkins.

The flowers for decoration must also be of pink. Serve the creams and ices in novel designs made of pink paper, such as baskets, boxes, buckets, freezers, cups and saucers, shells, wheelbarrows, vases, etc. You may procure these and many more beautiful designs at almost any fashionable caterer's. Each guest should have a pink boutonniere, or a white hyacinth, tied home as souvenirs.

A handsome center-piece for the table is indispensable, so get a large fruit stand and trim it prettily with ferns, smilax and flowers, or have an ornament of spun sugar for a center-piece. If you live where there are no caterers you may try this: make a large nest of macaroons, oval in shape, join the macaroons with sugar boiled until it candies; have this filled with charlotte russe and resting on a rock of spun sugar. You may color the charlotte russe pink; the effect will be beautiful, for the spun sugar will look like crystal. Your waitress should wear a pink cap and a pink apron. Illuminate the table pink 'fairy lamps' or a chandelier of candles.