History of Parchment Craft

Historians believe that parchment craft originated as an art form in Europe during the 15th or 16th century. Parchment craft at that time occurred principally in Catholic communities, where crafters created lace-like items, such as devotional pictures and communion cards. The craft developed over time with the addition of new techniques and refinements.

Although the invention of the printing press led to a reduced interest in handmade cards, by the 18th century people were regaining interest in detailed handwork. Parchment cards became larger in size and crafters began adding wavy borders and perforations.

In the 19th century, influenced by French romanticism, parchment crafters began adding floral themes, cherubs and hand embossing.

Until the 16th century, parchment craft was a European art form. However, missionaries and other settlers relocated to South America, taking parchment craft with them. As before, the craft appeared largely among the Catholic communities. Often, young girls receiving their First Communion received gifts of handmade parchment crafts.

Parchment craft today involves various techniques, including embossing to create a raised effect, stippling, perforating, colouring/painting and cutting. It appears in the form of handmade cards, scrapbook embellishments, bookmarks, lampshades, small decorative boxes, wall hangings and more.

A more detailed paper on the history and biology of parchment can be found on http://www.karger.com/gazette/67/Fuchs/art_5.htm.

In 1986, Martha Ospina, a Columbian parchment crafter moved to The Netherlands and introduced the craft to that country. In 1988, she created the Pergamano brand of parchment craft supplies and tools. Pergamano International continues to supply parchment craft items internationally, as well as offering instruction and registration to people wanting to teach parchment craft worldwide.

Parchcraft Australia (PCA) manufacture a large range of embossing and perforating tools and has set up a course of instructional parchment craft courses that specifically use only PCA products.

References:

Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parchment#Parchment_Craft
The History and Biology of Parchment, http://www.karger.com/gazette/67/Fuchs/art_5.htm

Then and Now Historians believe that parchment craft originated as an art form in Europe during the 15th or 16th century. Parchment craft at that time occurred principally in Catholic communities, where crafters created lace-like items, such as devotional pictures and communion cards. The craft developed over time with the addition of new techniques and refinements. Although the invention of the printing press led to a reduced interest in handmade cards, by the 18th century people were regaining interest in detailed handwork. Parchment cards became larger in size and crafters began adding wavy borders and perforations. In the 19th century, influenced by French romanticism, parchment crafters began adding floral themes, cherubs and hand embossing. Until the 16th century, parchment craft was a European art form. However, missionaries and other settlers relocated to South America, taking parchment craft with them. As before, the craft appeared largely among the Catholic communities. Often, young girls receiving their First Communion received gifts of handmade parchment crafts. Parchment craft today involves various techniques, including embossing to create a raised effect, stippling, perforating, colouring/painting and cutting. It appears in the form of handmade cards, scrapbook embellishments, bookmarks, lampshades, small decorative boxes, wall hangings and more. A more detailed paper on the history and biology of parchment can be found on http://www.karger.com/gazette/67/Fuchs/art_5.htm. In 1986, Martha Ospina, a Columbian parchment crafter moved to The Netherlands and introduced the craft to that country. In 1988, she created the Pergamano brand of parchment craft supplies and tools. Pergamano International continues to supply parchment craft items internationally, as well as offering instruction and registration to people wanting to teach parchment craft worldwide. Parchcraft Australia (PCA) manufacture a large range of embossing and perforating tools and has set up a course of instructional parchment craft courses that specifically use only PCA products. References: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parchment#Parchment_Craft The History and Biology of Parchment, http://www.karger.com/gazette/67/Fuchs/art_5.htm