The Long History Of Tulips Lives On In These Textiles

Widely regarded to represent perfection or deep love, tulips were largely cultivated in Turkey as early as the Ottoman Empire. As tulips migrated to Europe in the 1500s, they took on a new meaning; that of wealth and class, as the flowers were rare and exotic to the region. And when the flower came to Holland in the 1600s the Dutch flower market exploded, in a period now referred to as “Tulip Mania.” Today, the Dutch remain the largest producers and exporters of the famed flower, growing around two billion tulip bulbs annually.

These antique floral textiles from the Marché Dauphine Paris Flea Market carry the storied traditions of these famous flowers.

Coverlet, India c.1930. Cotton base polychrome small embroideries of flowers and leaves among typical mirrors and life symbols. Floral textiles.Coverlet, India c.1930. Cotton base polychrome small embroideries of flowers and leaves among typical mirrors and life symbols.

Panel, Turkey, c. 1950. Embroidery on satin silk tapestry depicting tulips and the famous symbols of the last of the Ottoman Empire. Floral textilesPanel, Turkey, c. 1950. Embroidery on satin silk tapestry depicting tulips and the famous symbols of the last of the Ottoman Empire.

Fabrics courtesy of Galerie Leyla Lebeurrier-Ahi Antique Textiles.

For more floral inspirations for this spring, check out these articles!

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