We have reached a part of our Renaissance studies where we met 15th century Italian artisan Luca della Robbia, who influenced Christmas at Colonial Williamsburg five centuries later.
Originally sculpted metals and marble, Luca della Robbia switched to a less expensive and time saving medium of terra cotta.
Due to the fragile nature of the clay, a unique glazing process was developed, resulting in a durable surface with brilliant colors, which were so brilliant, that some claimed the colors glowed even in poorly lit interiors.
Eventually detailed vegetation with brilliant colors became the hallmark of the borders of della Robbia art.
For over two centuries this technique was a closely guarded family secret.
1936 COLONIAL CHRISTMAS RESEARCH
While Colonial Williamsburg was transforming a sleepy 1930s town into its former historic glory, visitors from afar who arrived in December expected a colonial Christmas experience.
Researching the matter, historians learned that Christmas in the colonial days varied according to region.
In colonial New England Christmas festivities were banned, whereas in colonial Virginia, a few greeneries might be displayed, here and there.
Meanwhile, current residents of the historic area obviously decorated their homes as they always did before the onset of Colonial Williamsburg, which included electric Christmas lights, first invented in 1882, and Santa Claus, an American icon that also began in the 19th century.
1936 COLONIAL REVIVAL
When a Colonial Williamsburg employ went to the Library of Congress to research historic possibilities, a December 1926 copy of House Beautiful revealed beautifully illustrated pages of a style called Colonial Revival, originally inspired by the Italian Renaissance artist, della Robbia.
Photographs of beautifully illustrated wreaths filled the pages.
Since wealthy families tended to subscribe to the magazine, the Colonial Revival style was most popular at wealthy homes.
Since the natural elements certainly had more of a colonial feel than electric lights and Santa Claus, Colonial Williamsburg began decorating their door fronts with fruit filled wreaths.
Another addition to the Colonial Revival style was the addition of candles in the windows, a natural occurrence in some colonial homes.
However, the danger created the need to invent electric candles, which safely replaced modern Christmas lights.
Guests came. Guests enjoyed Christmas. Guests took it home.
And that is how homes across the nation started putting lit candles in windows, and greenery swags with fruit filled wreaths at entryways at Christmas time…calling it Colonial Williamsburg style.
