In the Late-Nineteenth Century, after Industrialization had begun to take its toll on the German landscape, deforestation had made it impractical to cut-down sufficient numbers of living pine trees to supply the Christmas tree trade. Local craftsman began creating "feather trees" out of dyed goose feathers—which made them, essentially, the first "artificial" Christmas trees. Goose "biots" (that is, the split wing feather from a goose) could be wrapped around wire "branches," creating an attractive and realistic-looking pine branch. Several such branches were then fitted into a dowel trunk, well-spaced to leave plenty of room for the hanging of ornaments. These feather trees, reminiscent of white pines, first became popular in Germany in the 1880's. By 1900, German-Americans began using them, too, until World War One, after which point imports from Germany were prohibited.
Feather trees were first created to conserve the real trees which were being over-forested. But the feather trees had other benefits, too: they were clean (no pine needles stuck in the carpet), they did not harbor infestations (of bugs or bird nests), they were less flammable around candles (because the branches were well-separated, not always the case with natural trees) and one could avoid a cold trip to the tree farm.
Today, old feather trees—especially those in great condition—are valuable and highly sought-after. While they were once to be found in any kind of home or apartment, today they are mostly associated with country style interiors—where "primitive" furniture and rustic decor predominate.
Small ornaments, such as those shown above, were perfect for the thin branches of a feather tree. Each of these eighteen, golden balls are about one half-inch across. They come in their original printed box. Click on the photo above to learn more about them.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.