Artificial Bridal Wreath
PeriodCirca 1878
Place MadePossibly Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
MediumWire, wax, silk, paper, velvet
Dimensions3 × 12 in. (7.6 × 30.5 cm)
ClassificationsCostume, Women's
Credit LineGift of Mrs.Frank P. Jones, 1941
Object number1528
DescriptionA wreath of artificial orange blossoms, comprised of a thin wire armature coated with bright green wax, with portions of wire separated from the main bundle to create small stems. Orange blossoms and buds are glued or otherwise attached to the thin wire strands, constructed of white or off-white pressed silk and paper. The wreath entered the collection in a bright green paddle-shaped lidded cardboard box with a partial label glued to the lid top. The box is most likely from another purchase, possibly a small hand fan based upon the box's unusual shape.Curatorial RemarksOrange blossoms have been connected to marriage, weddings, and brides since ancient China. In 1840, Queen Victoria opted to wear an elaborate wreath of real orange blossoms instead of a jeweled tiara at her marriage to Prince Albert. In the ensuing years, Albert presented Victoria with numerous jewels in the form of orange blossoms. Artificial orange blossoms were a good alternative for those brides who could not afford real blossoms or when orange blossoms were not in bloom. The popularity of orange blossom bridal wreaths also went hand-in-hand with the popularity of wax flower making by Victorian women. There was a darker side to the artificial flower industry, however. In both Europe and the United States, the demand for artificial flowers for hats, bonnets, gowns, and accessories was often provided by men, women, and children working in brutal conditions for pennies. Reform photographers such as Jacob Riis documented entire families including young children gathered around a tenement kitchen table fashioning wire and silk elements into floral bunches. This particular orange blossom wreath was professionally made. The Association has several 19th century orange blossom wreaths including Margaret Riker Haskell's wax and silk orange blossom wedding wreath (accession number 1994.7.3).NotesThis wreath of artificial orange blossoms was most likely worn by Elizabeth "Lissie" Barricklo (1854-1938) at her wedding to Dr. William W. Fouche in 1878. Elizabeth Barricklo was born at Bow Hill, an historic home in Hamilton Township outside of Trenton.The original structure was built in 1790, burned in 1811, and rebuilt in 1815. The Association has a number of family items from the Lalor-Barricklo-Fouche family in the collection. The wreath was stored in a paddle-shaped bright green pasteboard box. The box retains only a small portion of its original paper label, which in part reads "Jewellery." Although the wreath fits into the box, it is most likely not the original container the wreath was purchased. The box's shape suggests it originally housed a lady's hand fan.
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