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Why is floral clay used to secure a needlepoint holder in a vase?
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Floral decoration
An eternal bouquet for the dead, limestone relief from Egypt, 4th century bce; in the Brooklyn Museum, New York.
In the context of floral decoration, a needlepoint holderāalso known as a kenzanāis a mechanical aid used to support plant materials. Floral clay is used to secure this holder to the bottom of a vase to prevent it from shifting or tipping over while the arrangement is being constructed or displayed.1
While floral clay is a standard adhesive for this purpose, it is not suitable for all vessels. For example, it should be avoided when using silver vases, as the clay can cause the metal to tarnish. In such cases, melted paraffin is preferred because it does not damage the finish and can be easily removed with hot water.1