Turning Strips of Paper into Art by Quilling

By Cindy Hunsinger

Have you ever thought of a tiny strip of paper as being a medium for a work of art? If not, then you are probably not alone. Yet an ancient art form is just that. I am referring to the delicate art of paper quilling. It is not known with accuracy exactly where or when this art form got is start, but some feel that it can be traced back as far as the culture of Ancient Egypt. Some of their tombs were found to be decorated with thin metal filigree shapes that remind one of the shapes found in modern quilling.

This art form has definitely weathered the test of time. In the earlier stages of its development, quilling was done with tiny metal wires rather than paper. In later periods it is believed to have been done with guilded paper strips to give the appearance of metal work. During the renaissance era, nuns and monks learned this art form in order to embellish books and other religious items. In fact, it is believed that the term quilling comes from this era. The consensus is that the nuns and monks probably used feather quills as a form to roll the paper on. Trickling down the years to more modern times, quilling spread in popularity throughout Europe, and eventually the Americas. Thus quilling became popular with the "Ladies of Leisure," since those considered to be part of the "working class" were not likely to be involved with it. It’s interesting to note that listed among the subjects to be taught at some boarding schools in the American Colonies was "Quill Work." This art form has had it ups and downs in popularity. It has graced religious pieces and has been prominently displayed in some of the finest homes. It has adorned furniture, tea caddies, and frames. Among its designs have been coats-of-arms, panels, and so on.

Thankfully, for those of us who love art in all its different forms, quilling has made a comeback. As early as the Nineteenth Century, information and kits were available to encourage the crafter/artist to learn this skill and keep it alive. More and more pieces of quilling from the past are surfacing, giving us more of a glimpse into this ancient art form. With the addition of modern technology, it’s hard to imagine the next generation of art pieces that will be created in the near future. The next evolution of quilling promises to be exciting while keeping true to its roots.

So if you get excited learning new art forms or crafts, perhaps this is the next one you should tackle. The internet has a wealth of information to get you started. You may want to begin by just looking at some photos of some of the antique pieces that have been done, just for inspiration. Next, why not check out some of the suppliers to get an idea of what you may need to get started. Then maybe you would enjoy a visit to a local museum that has a display of this delicate art. I think you’ll be pleasingly surprised at some of the gorgeous items that have been done just by rolling a little paper into shapes.