Victoriana facts for kids
Victoriana is a special word. It describes objects and things from the Victorian period. This time was from 1837 to 1901. Think of it as a way to talk about items from when Queen Victoria ruled.
Victoriana usually means decorative items. But it can also include many other things. These are items like old posters, books, photos, machines, and buildings. Even fashion and collections of plants or bugs from that time are Victoriana. The word can also mean new designs that look like they are from the Victorian age. It's about bringing old styles into new things.
The word "Victoriana" was first used in 1918. Soon after, in the 1920s, people became very interested in collecting Victorian items. There was another big wave of collecting in the 1950s. In 1951, the Festival of Britain celebrated something special. It marked 100 years since the first world's fair. This was the 1851 Great Exhibition held at the Crystal Palace.
In the 1960s and 1970s, graphic designers found inspiration in Victorian styles. They liked the unique look of old Victorian wood type for printing. Designers like Seymour Chwast used these ideas. Items called Stevengraphs were also popular to collect. These were small, woven silk pictures.
In the 1980s, Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She encouraged interest in Victoriana. She talked about "Victorian family values." She believed these ideas could help improve culture, morals, and the economy.
Victoriana in Pop Culture
In science fiction, Victoriana is used in a fun way. It often describes make-believe Victorian worlds. These worlds are seen in genres like steampunk. They mix old Victorian looks with new, imaginary machines. You might see gears and steam engines everywhere. These stories often have fantastic creatures and cool inventions. They create a romantic, old-fashioned city feel.
