Katherine de Kay Bronson (New York, 1834 - 1901, Florence)
Rose Petals from Robert Browning's Funeral Bier, 1889
Ink and pressed rose petals on paper, 8.8 x 10.8 cm (3 7/16 x 4 1/4 in.)
This small rectangular paper note card has approximately a dozen rose petals arranged in a rosette form and pressed on the paper. Handwritten in cursive script at the top in black ink are the words: "Rose leaves from the first garland placed on Robert Browning's bier / from KB. / to I.G." At the bottom to our left are the words "Venice 14 Dec" and to our right "1889."
Long Gallery
Commentary
This pressed flower was gathered at the funeral of the poet and playwright Robert Browning. As an avid reader of contemporary poetry, Gardner admired Browning’s work and displayed this keepsake in the Long Gallery alongside other objects associated with major British authors.