Paper Scraps - German Foil

In Victorian times, paper scraps or "cut-outs" were an integral part of various pastimes for both adults and children. They remain popular in many parts of the world today. The original Victorian images have become vivid emblems of the decorative and sentimental preoccupations of their era.

Paper scraps first appeared at the beginning of the 19th Century in the form of simple black-and-white engravings, often later tinted by hand. By the 1820s the designs had become more elaborate and were sometimes embossed - a process by which a die was stamped into the reverse side, giving the front a raised three-dimensional appearance. Within a decade, both the printing and embossing processes were automated and volume increased. Many of the best-quality scraps during this period were produced in Germany, where bakers and confectioners used small pieces with reliefs to decorate cakes and biscuits for christenings, weddings, Christmas Easter. In 1837, the first year of Queen Victoria's reign, came the invention of the colour printing process known as chromolithography and manufacturers were quick to apply the new technology to their products. Now embossed designs were sold in sheets with the relief stamped out to the approximate shape of the image. Each of the pieces were connected by small strips to keep them in place.

Since the labor-intensive task of cutting out small pictures was removed, sales began to increase significantly. Collections were pasted into specially produced albums, along with decorated calling cards, food wrappers and pictures from catalogues. Often personal notes, lines of poetry or dedications were added.

The Victorians delighted in romanticism and sentimentality. Sought-after subjects included angelic-looking children, fashionably dressed ladies, birds, butterflies, pets, angels and fans. Also popular were military and naval themes as well as circus and seaside outings. Extravagant Valentine cards were often composed of paper lace, embossed gold foil, ribbons, lace, flowers and feathers with the scraps as the main focal point.

The Victorians attached considerable importance to the celebration of Christmas and a wide range of Christmas ornamentations were produced. Featured were angels, winter scenes, children and most popular of all, the figure of Father Christmas. These reliefs were pasted onto cards and boxes and were made into Christmas decorations of all kinds.

In recent years, a huge revival in nostalgia and the popularity of decoupage, has resulted in strong demand for these gorgeous, vintage-look, foil paper scrap embellishments.

We've imported the most beautiful foil paper scraps all the way from Germany for your cherished holiday embellishment that may remain a family heirloom.