History of metal roses

[Maillemaker]

Hello, all!

I'm looking into the history of flowers in metalwork.  I make metal roses, and I want to know more about when we first see them in history, if they mean anything, and their general construction, and if it differed from place to place in the same era, et cetera.

Does anyone know of any books, sources, or research material that can provide me with more information?

[The Armourer]

I read a book called Roots which tells the true story of an african man who is kidnapped in the early 1700's and his struggle to live as a slave in America. It follows his family down to today, and along the way one of his descendants is a blacksmith who makes his fiance an iron rose. This took place right around the american civil war. I am not sure if this helps or if that was what you meant.

[Dodge]

As for the meaning of roses, I found this. I don't know why it wouldn't apply to even steel roses :)