Emma Peachey

[1] Her books include the manual The Royal Guide to Wax Flower Modelling (1851), which the historian Ann B. Shteir characterises as trying to "bridge a growing divide between art and science".

[2][3][4] In 1840, she made ten thousand white wax roses for the marriage of Victoria and Albert,[2][3][5] which were distributed as bridal favours, and also replicated the royal wedding bouquets.

[4] Peachey is credited by Beatrice Howe as having re-stimulated public interest in wax flowers in Victorian Britain,[6] the art having been introduced to British aristocratic circles in the late 17th century.

[2] Like others engaged in making wax models at the time, she offered materials for sale,[2] including custom nontoxic colours made with the aid of a German chemist.

[2][3] However, disagreement over the suitability of the location allocated led her instead to show them at her own premises at 35 Rathbone Place, where she stated that 50,000 people came to view them.

[4] Other notable works include an 1850 model of the Victoria regia water lily, which drew approbation from the royal family.

[2] Peachey's showrooms remained open in London in the early 1870s;[6] she had by then moved to nearby Berners Street, and was advertising for pupils in paper-flower manufacture as well as wax modelling.