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Last updated 11/9/2025

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The name 'Froebel Star' should not be taken to imply it was invented by Friedrich Froebel.

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In Japan (and in publications by Japanese authors)

1932

According to information received from Koshiro Hatori diagrams for The Paper Rosette appear in 'Origami (Part 2)' by Isao Honda, which was published in Japan, in Japanese, in 1932.

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The Paper Rosette also appears:

1944

As 'Baranohana' (rose) in 'Origami Shuko' by Isao Honda, which was published in 1944.

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1960

In 'All About Origami' by Isao Honda, which was published by Toto Bunka Company, Limited in Tokyo in 1960. However, the diagrams are untitled and there is no text relating to that design, suggesting that they may have been a last minute addition to the book.

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In Europe and the Americas

1773

As far as I know the Paper Rosette first appears as an element in a collage by Phillipe Bizot, which is dated 1773.

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1833

Diagrams for The Paper Rosette first appear in 'The Girl's Own Book' by Lydia Marie Child, which was published by Clark Austin and Co in New York in 1833.

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The design also appears:

1863

In 'De Kleine Papierwerkers: Volume 2: Wat men uit strookjes papier al vlechten kan' which was published by K H Schadd in Amsterdam in 1863, which explains how to make several variations of the design and how to join them together to make baskets.

Roughly translated this says, 'Plaiting these loose ends of paper awakened another memory in the children's mother. 'I truly believe,' she said, 'that I also know a piece of art that belongs to paper weaving. It is very old because my grandmother taught it to me.'

Roughly translated this says, 'The connection of these stars creates lovely little baskets, which can be made square, round or elongated and provided with a handle. Pictures 13, 14 and 15 each show a different way of decorating a star.'

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1872

In 'Paper Rosette Work and How to Make It' by William Bemrose, which was published in 1872. Bemrose and Sons also sold precut strips of paper for the folding of these rosettes.

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1873

In 'Church Decoration in Paper Rosette Work' by William Bemrose, which was probably published in 1873 or shortly thereafter.

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In 'The Queen Almanac' for 1873. Here the Paper Rosettes are intended as decorations for frames and crosses etc and several illustrations of what the finished constructions would look like are given.

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In 'Die Praxis Des Kindergartens' by August Koehler, which was published by Herman Bohlau in Weimar in 1873.

The text says that in Froebel's time the basic stars (shown in picture 10) were joined together to make 'cute star baskets'. The author states that, about 15 years ago, so in c1857/8, he discovered some variations. These are shown in pictures 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14. The author also mentions that Frau Ziert invented further variations which 'deserve to be called true Artworks', but, as far as I can see, these designs are not pictured in the book.

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As 'Paper Rosettes' in 'The Popular Recreator', which was published by Cassell and Co in London in 1873 . The author of the work, whose name is not given, comments that Paper Rosette work is the 'fashion and order of the day' and that 'The purposes for which the paper rosettes can be used are too numerous to mention'.

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1874

In 'Spiel und Arbeit' by Hugo Elm, which was published by Verlag und Drud der Otto Spamer in Leipzig in 1874. The text says, 'This also includes a very favourite activity which occurs in Thuringia under the name 'star-making'. The 'stars' obtained in this way are used as ornaments for the Christmas tree and used to decorate it.'

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1876

In 'Des Kindes Erste Beschaftigungsbuch' by E Barth and W Niederley, which was first published in Bielefeld and Leipzig, and the foreword of which is dated October 1876.

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1885

In 'Paper Rosette Work', an article published in 'Dorcas Magazine' for April 1885. The first paragraph makes it clear that at this time it was possible to obtain precut strips intended for the folding of these stars.

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1887

As 'Paper-Rosette Baskets' in 'The Home Book for Very Little People' by J H Vincent, which was published by Phillips and Hunt in New York in 1887.

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1882

In Part two of 'The Kindergarten Guide' by Maria Kraus Boelte and John Kraus, which was probably first published by E. Steiger and Company in New York in 1882.

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1891

In 'Pleasant Work for Busy Fingers' by Maggie Browne, which was published by Cassell and Company in London in 1891. This book is an English version of 'Des Kindes Erste Beschaftigungsbuch' enhanced by the addition of a few extra designs.

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1893

In 'L'Annee Preparatoire de Travail Manuel' by M P Martin, which was published by Armand Collin & Cie in Paris in 1893.

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1894

As 'A Paper Rosette' in issue 810 of 'The Boy's Own Paper' for 21st July 1894. The article also explains how to use them to dcecorate a basket.

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1896

In part 2 of 'The Republic of Childhood', titled 'Froebel's Occupations', which was published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, of Boston and New York in 1896, Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora Archibald Smith. The design is not named in the text but I believe it can be identified from the description.

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As 'Rosaces en papier' in an article by Rault-Boulay in 'La Science en Famille', Volume 10, 1896.

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1903

In 'La Ensenanza del Trabajo Manuel' by Pedro de Alcántara García and Teodosio Leal y Quiroga, which was published in Madrid in 1903, contains diagrams for the basic star and pictures a large cross made by linking multiple stars together.

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1904

In 'Guia Practica del Trabajo Manual Educativo' by Ezequiel Solana, which was published by Editorial Magisterio Español in Madrid in 1904 contains instructions for how to 'Construir une Estrella de Enlace con Ocho Puntas' (Build a Star with Eight Points) ...

... and how to link the resulting stars together to make a 'Marco para Espejo o Retrato (Frame for Mirror or Portrait).

Roughly translated the text here says 'Half of a frame which can have multiple applications. Crosses, napkin rings etc can also be built, but the must frequent and amusing application is that of making baskets which can be used for decorations or jewellery boxes. In the latter case they are usually white, lined with coloured silk, which produces a beautiful ensemble. It is a toy for girls and toddlers.'

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c1912

Possible date for a US flag made of Paper Rosettes said to be folded from coin wrappers.

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1913

In 'Trabajo Manual' by C Champy Alvear, which was published by Cabaut y Cia in Buenos Aires in 1913.

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1914

As 'Rosettas' in El Trabajo Manual en la Escuela' by Félix Martí Alpera, which was published by Libreria de los Sucesores de Hernando in Madrid in 1914. No instructions for forming the individual rosettes or for linking them together are given bit the text, refers to '8. Construction of rosettes. 9. Combination of these forming flat figures, such as a cross, a border etc. 10. Construction of objects in relief (ie 3D objects) such as a basket, a watepaper bin etc.'

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1915

As 'los estrellas o rosettas de papel' in two articles in 'Los Muchachos', a Spanish children's magazine, on 19th and 26th September 1915.

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1920

As 'Christmas Star' in 'Paper Magic' by Will Blyth, which was first published by C Arthur Pearson in London in 1920.

This book also explains how toi make an Easter Cross made by combining seven Paper Rosettes. Although the rosettes can be combined without glue the text recommends that paper is pasted on the back to make the design more permanent.

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1923

As 'El Pez' in 'Trabajos Manuales y Juegos Infantiles' by Francisco Blanch, which was published by I. G. Seix y Barral Hermanos S.A.- Editores in Barcelona in 1923.

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1960

As 'The Star of Bethlehem' in 'Paper Folding Fun' by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne in London in 1960.

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1961

As 'Flechstern' in 'Wir Falten' by Joachim Schönherr and Gerta Schumann, which was published by Rudolf Arnold Verlag in Leipzig in 1961.

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