The Violieren (wallflower or gillyflower) was a chamber of rhetoric that dates back to the 15th century in Antwerp, when it was the social drama society of the Guild of St. Luke. In 1660 it merged with its former rival "Olijftak", and in 1762 the society was dissolved altogether.
Much of what is known today about these two societies comes from the city and guild archives. According to a note by the year 1480 in the early records of the Guild of St. Luke, the chamber's first victory was at a "Landjuweel" in Leuven that took place that year. Their motto was "Wt ionsten versaemt "(united in friendship). From 1490, the chamber received an annual grant from the town of Antwerp.[1] In 1493 they participated in a major contest in Mechelen and in 1496 they hosted their own "Landjuweel" in Antwerp.[1]
The society was popular throughout the 16th century and many noted artists were members. The French Wikipedia includes a list of the deans.