"Garden Gnomes For Sale"
So said the sign I passed on my way to a business meeting. For some reason, when I got home, I decided to read about garden gnomes and found there was a fascinating history!
Early in the 19th century the first garden gnomes appeared, in Germany. In around 1840, the idea spread to England. Having a gnome on the garden was generally thought to bring good luck, as well as a bountiful harvest.
The 10th Baronet of Lamport Hall, Sir Charles Isham, was apparently the first person to bring a garden gnome to England. He liked them so much that he actually brought 21 from Germany to decorate his garden. Only one is left - "Lampy" - and he's insured for a million pounds!
Originally garden gnomes were hand made using terracotta, and this was the material used until the 1960's. These clay statues were often well-loved decorations which were handed down from generation to generation.
Philip Griebel and August Heissner started mass producing garden gnomes in around 1872. Within a short time Heissner Gnomes became famous around the world. Far from the tacky image of todays gnomes, these were considered to be works of art which brought luck to the owners.
These early figures were often beautifully detailed, and were sometimes quite large - up to a meter high. Although designed as garden ornaments, the more wealthy owners (who presumably could afford better quality) would sometimes give them a life indoors. Rumor has it that well-bred gnomes thought this whole house-nonsense to be beneath them, and preferred to live outside.
Gnome history actually goes back hundreds of years - early depictions show gnomes as white-bearded, wizened old men, often misshapen and generally very short. They also usually wore red hats and tan pants.
Back then gnomes looked pretty serious, and stayed that way until Disney's "Snow White" broke the mold and gave us a far cheerier version to think about.
Ironically the new versions only had a run of a couple of years, since World War II came along and stopped production in all of Europe.
Production didn't really take off again until resins and plastics came to the fore in the 1960s, enabling the mass production of the cheap, bright and cheerful gnomes we see around today.
Eastern Europe and the Far East are now the centers of plastic gnome production, while most of the older ceramic gnome makers are no more.
Modern suburban gardeners seem to like gnome statues. They think (and I agree) that they make for interesting, humorous gardens!
Problem is, many gnomes are stolen (or "liberated"), which is a shame. Maybe because of the recession they turn up on Ebay?!
Gnomes have been around for a century and a half, so they're probably here to stay. Better get used to them!
Closing thoughts:
Gnomes are banned from the Chelsea Flower Show because the organizers claim they detract from garden designs.
Garden gnomes have been banned from cemeteries by the Diocese of Bath and Wells (in England " where else?) because leaders say they are "unnatural creatures". Along with plastic flowers and other decorations such as teddy bears, they have been called "inappropriate and tacky!
In France there is even a French Liberation Front of Garden Gnomes
*sigh*
So said the sign I passed on my way to a business meeting. For some reason, when I got home, I decided to read about garden gnomes and found there was a fascinating history!
Early in the 19th century the first garden gnomes appeared, in Germany. In around 1840, the idea spread to England. Having a gnome on the garden was generally thought to bring good luck, as well as a bountiful harvest.
The 10th Baronet of Lamport Hall, Sir Charles Isham, was apparently the first person to bring a garden gnome to England. He liked them so much that he actually brought 21 from Germany to decorate his garden. Only one is left - "Lampy" - and he's insured for a million pounds!
Originally garden gnomes were hand made using terracotta, and this was the material used until the 1960's. These clay statues were often well-loved decorations which were handed down from generation to generation.
Philip Griebel and August Heissner started mass producing garden gnomes in around 1872. Within a short time Heissner Gnomes became famous around the world. Far from the tacky image of todays gnomes, these were considered to be works of art which brought luck to the owners.
These early figures were often beautifully detailed, and were sometimes quite large - up to a meter high. Although designed as garden ornaments, the more wealthy owners (who presumably could afford better quality) would sometimes give them a life indoors. Rumor has it that well-bred gnomes thought this whole house-nonsense to be beneath them, and preferred to live outside.
Gnome history actually goes back hundreds of years - early depictions show gnomes as white-bearded, wizened old men, often misshapen and generally very short. They also usually wore red hats and tan pants.
Back then gnomes looked pretty serious, and stayed that way until Disney's "Snow White" broke the mold and gave us a far cheerier version to think about.
Ironically the new versions only had a run of a couple of years, since World War II came along and stopped production in all of Europe.
Production didn't really take off again until resins and plastics came to the fore in the 1960s, enabling the mass production of the cheap, bright and cheerful gnomes we see around today.
Eastern Europe and the Far East are now the centers of plastic gnome production, while most of the older ceramic gnome makers are no more.
Modern suburban gardeners seem to like gnome statues. They think (and I agree) that they make for interesting, humorous gardens!
Problem is, many gnomes are stolen (or "liberated"), which is a shame. Maybe because of the recession they turn up on Ebay?!
Gnomes have been around for a century and a half, so they're probably here to stay. Better get used to them!
Closing thoughts:
Gnomes are banned from the Chelsea Flower Show because the organizers claim they detract from garden designs.
Garden gnomes have been banned from cemeteries by the Diocese of Bath and Wells (in England " where else?) because leaders say they are "unnatural creatures". Along with plastic flowers and other decorations such as teddy bears, they have been called "inappropriate and tacky!
In France there is even a French Liberation Front of Garden Gnomes
*sigh*
About the Author:
If you are looking for garden gnomes for sale to add some style to your garden, then go now to www.gardengnomesforsale.com to see what you can find!
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