Drapery Rosette History

Drapery rosettes date back to the mid Victorian era (1850-1870). They were originally created as a “curtain pin” or holdback.  The first drapery medallions had large heads and thick stalks and were used more for functionality than decoration.  By the late Victorian age (1870-1900) window treatments began to grow more elaborate and the drapery medallion began to evolve from a tool to a decoration.  In these early days of drapery medallions, tiebacks were generally created in brass and a handful of designs including scrollwork or floral.