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I love this new variety of gerbera and when my eyes full on them I thought what could I do with them. Often, I am asked does a flower need anything other than itself? To that I say, let them shine solo, but sometimes a little more just takes them to another visual level.
I have always reached for berries because the rounded surface and shape really does enhance the finished look. This is one of the tips I gathered in my years studying the Constance Spey’s style of floral arranging and design.
The vase is also equally important, and in today’s design, I thought it was time to re-introduce the fabulous glass TORTOISESHELL VASE. These vases come in and out of fashion, and for reasons I can’t understand, don’t know why they are not part of every designer’s tool box!
The history is rich, so I just thought I’d like to share a few details:
'Tortoise shell' vases refer to two distinct types: rare luxury items made from the actual shells of sea turtles (now illegal) and ceramic or glass wares that imitate the pattern.
Key Eras of Introduction
- 12th Century (Ceramic Imitation): The earliest ceramic versions, known as Jizhou 'tortoise shell' glazed vases, were produced in China during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279). These were stoneware pieces featuring a unique mottling effect that mimicked the organic patterns of a shell.
- 17th Century in Europe, skilled artisans began using actual turtle scutes (from the Hawksbill sea turtle) to embellish luxury decorative objects like trays and cases. During the 1660s, porcelain statuettes of tortoises were also exported from Japan to Europe.
- 18th Century (Staffordshire 'Tortoiseshell' Ware): Around 1755–1760, Thomas Whieldon and other potters in Staffordshire, England, introduced a popular lead-glazed earthenware with brown mottling specifically called 'tortoiseshell ware'.
- 20th Century (Modern Glass): Hand-blown glass vases featuring this pattern became highly popular in the mid-20th century. Murano glass artisans in Italy produced many 'Tartaruga' (tortoise) style vases during the 1950s and 1960s.
Today, the use of real tortoise shell is prohibited internationally under the CITES treaty (1977), so modern vases are exclusively made of glass, resin, or ceramics.
Things to gather to create design:
- Vase of your choice. I used a large alongside a smaller as a way of visually extending display.
- Gerbera: this is a new variety called Pomponi Rizzo – dark orange
- Twisty willow – this is used to create a support structure for the blooms. Gerberas are wonderful flowers, but they do like to droop their heads quickly.
- A couple of bunches of stems of berries. I used artificial because like the willow they give additional support and enhance the finished display.
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