There is scarce written information about Paper Quilling.  As such, there can only be speculations about its origin.  The most popular theory holds that Paper Quilling is an evolution of metal and other filigree works of the early Middle Eastern and Egyptian civilisations.  It should also be taken into consideration that Paper Quilling probably existed only after the invention of paper by the Chinese in 105 AD.

 

The earliest forms of Paper Quilling also remain a mystery.  This is largely due to the fact that paper is a material that is difficult to preserve.  Any earliest forms of Paper Quilling could have been easily destroyed by either fire or moisture or simply decayed, especially if left unprotected, over the course of time.

 

In any case, there is no way to verify the early history of Paper Quilling until some concrete archaeological evidence is unearthed.

 

 

 

It is noted that early quillworks were first used as decoration in religious houses as early as the Medieval (circa AD 650 - 1550) period.  Designs dating from the fifteenth century up to the Reformation in the sixteenth century have been reportedly found in English churches and religious houses by travellers.

 

This suggests that Paper Quilling has existed for at least five hundred years, even if the earliest piece of preserved Paper Quilling recorded dates from the mid seventeenth century while those in museums are usually from the eighteenth or nineteenth century.  It is thought that close exam of early panels and screens in churches throughout Europe may show early surviving quillworks.

 

These early quillworks were likely done by members of the European, particularly the French and Italian, religious orders who were recognised for their immense knowledge of inks, paints and gilding.

 

These cloistered nuns and monks wanted to decorate the screens and panels in their convents and monasteries to imitate metal filigree.  Handmade paper was not only far less costly than metals but could also be shaped in ways similar to metal filigree.  As such, it can be inferred that Paper Quilling was born as a solution to simulate metal filigree with less costly materials.

 

Paper Quilling of this phase was also used to decorate reliquaries (containers for holy relics) and religious pictures.  The restriction to Paper Quilling appearing mainly in religious art could be attributed to the fact that handmade paper was one of those precious materials which was much less readily available within the secular world.  The nuns and monks created religious art therefore they naturally had access to such precious materials that were set aside expressly for this purpose.

 

 

 

England's first paper mill in 1495 played a significant role in the development of Paper Quilling.  With this development of paper, the craft spread to England and the ecclesiastical connection maintained. 

 

A revival of decorative panels and elaborate designs surrounding miniatures followed in the seventeenth century.  Paper Quilling moved beyond its religious connections for the first time and appeared to serve as a substitute for expensive paintings during this period and that of Queen Anne's reign (1702 - 1714).

 

Paper Quilling attained its height of popularity in the eighteenth century when a keen interest in the craft developed among fashionable young ladies-of-leisure of the time.  They practised Paper Quilling along with other handicrafts between social events.  During this period, professionals sold their own finished works in addition to teaching the craft.

 

However, the limited availability of paper and the time-intensive nature of Paper Quilling restricted its practice mostly to affluent, noble or royal families.  It was hardly, if not never, practised by the working-class women even as paper became more widespread and much less costly by the late eighteenth century.

 

At the same time, the popularity of Paper Quilling was also carried over to North America with the colonials who seemed to have a particular interest in using the craft to embellish sconces which were wall brackets for candles.

 

 

Its Decline 

 

Where there is waxing, there is waning.  For uncertain reasons, the popularity of Paper Quilling inevitably started to decline and after the early nineteenth century, no notable works of Paper Quilling appeared.

 

Apparently, it could have been due to an ongoing debate that already began in the late eighteenth century.  The suitability of young ladies wasting their time on merely 'decorative' pursuits instead of purposeful household employment was questioned.  While there were those who believed that it was beneath a young woman of status to be engaging in work that contributed to general or overall household good, there were others who argued that women's time ought to be better spent in useful tasks.

 

 

 

It was not until the mid twentieth century that interest in Paper Quilling rekindled and credit goes to Margaret Carlson of Kansas City Missouri.  After doing repair and restorative work on some antique pieces upon a request, she became interested in the craft herself and eventually taught it.

 

A decade later, in the mid 1960s, Gini Antonie of Independence, Missouri pioneered a lacy form of Paper Quilling and the custom of naming quilled shapes.

 

By the end of the twentieth century, Paper Quilling Guilds were formed in the United Kingdom and United States with preserving, promoting and spreading the ancient craft as their mission.

 

In retrospect from the twenty-first century, contemporary Paper Quilling has since developed greatly be it in techniques or applications.  Three-dimensional Paper Quilling, which was unheard of in the past, is now a technique that some quillers are so fascinated with that it becomes their specialization.

 

New applications, such as quilled wearable jewellery have also been discovered in modern Paper Quilling.  In recent years, Paper Quilling is also beginning to gain recognition as an art and not just a craft.

 

All these continuing efforts of contemporary quillers and the revival of fifty years and counting are proof that the history of Paper Quilling is still being written.

 

 

 

 

 

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