Royal Delft Etudes de Fleurs is inspired by the iconic Dutch tulips associated with stately Royal Delft Tulipieres, and the extraordinary beautiful blooms in still life Dutch paintings and the Netherlands. Tulips were in cultivation since the 13th century, but only really took off as a passion for collectors among aristocrats in the 1600s when Turkish traders introduced them to the Dutch. The tulip crazes in the 17th century became so fevered that the bulbs were traded as currency and theft of the flowers triggered harsh penalties. While it’s not the fanciest flower in the garden, the beauty, and grace of a simple tulip mean enduring love between partners, undying passionate love, passion spurned, royalty, abundance, prosperity, and indulgence. Although it was considered more of a symbol for charity by the Victorians, the Turkish who originally bred the flower, considered it a symbol of paradise on Earth, making it a part of many religious and secular poems and art pieces. While the Ottoman Empire planted the bulbs to remind them of heaven and eternal life, the Dutch that popularized the flower considered it a reminder of how brief life can be instead. Mixed with simple wildflowers and scattered in all directions, Flora & Fauna is considered a symbol of happiness and joie de vivre! Flora & Fauna pays homage to artist Vittorio Accornero whose Giardini di Seta works for Gucci inspired a generation of interior and fashion designs to create floral art.
