Commonly connected to Ancient Egypt, quilling actually began much later.
However the Ancient Egyptians did use metallic filigree pieces for decorative trim.
By the 15th century, paper quilling became popular, especially among French and Italian nuns who coiled small pieces of paper, then painted them to look like silver.
Fluctuating in popularity over time, by the 19th century the simple yet elegant art again came into vogue.
Jane Austen even incorporated filigree art into her book, Sense and Sensibility:
“I am glad,” said Lady Middleton to Lucy, “you are not going to finish poor little Annamaria’s basket this evening; for I am sure it must hurt your eyes to work filigree by candlelight. And we will make the dear little love some amends for her disappointment to-morrow, and then I hope she will not much mind it.”
This hint was enough, Lucy recollected herself instantly and replied, “Indeed you are very much mistaken, Lady Middleton; I am only waiting to know whether you can make your party without me, or I should have been at my filigree already.” — “Sense and Sensibility”
The 1995 BBC production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice included a scene with the Bennet girls…and strips of quilled paper.
See this link for examples of 19th century filigree work and more details about Jane Austen.
Due to my daughter’s impending portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet, she learned how to create quill art.
Derived from the use of a quill to wrap the paper, my daughter used a fancy quill to use for her demonstration.
After looking at lots of examples, my daughter chose the theme of flowers for her quill art.
Mr. Artistic couldn’t resist so he also created some quill art, choosing the theme of Thanksgiving.
