ikebana, vase, urn, vessel, tony hutchison

Donated by Mrs Pam Weaver OAM & Dr Hugh Weaver through the Australian Government Cultural Gifts Program, 2019gippsland, artwork, permanent collection

This spiky, pointy metal flower holder, often called a flower frog or kenzan, was made around the late 19th to the early 20th centuries by Stayput Products of Melbourne, Australia. The flat metal base has been made in layers with the head of the spikes between the layers. It is likely to be handmade. Heavy flower holders made of non-corrosive metals are designed to sit in the base of a vase, dish, bowl or other suitable holder so that cut flower stems can be pushed into the spikes and held firmly in the arrangement. Flower frogs can be made of glass, ceramics or, more recently, synthetic materials.The flower holder is an example of Victorian era domestic decoration aids that have carried through to the 21st century.Flower holder, rectangular block made from layers of metal, with spikes embedded into the metal. The block is heavy, likely to be lead, and the spikes are strong brass pints arranged evenly in rows. There are remnants of florist's putty between some spikes. An inscription within concentric oval rings is moulded in the flat base. Made by Stayput Products, Melbourne, Australia.Stamped into the metal: "STAYPUT / PRODUCTS / MELB. AUST."flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, flower frog, flower arrangements, flower holder, pin-holder, stayput, flower aid, ikebana flower arrangement, kenzan, moribana style, flower support, melbourne manufacturer, spiky pin frog, metal flower holder, stayput products, flower block, flower arranger, vintage, antique, late 19th to early 20th centuries, vase accessory, decorative item, floral arrangement support, florist accessory, floral art, needle aids, victorian era