Building & Home Articles Garden & Landscaping Articles Garden Gnomes For Sale
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"Garden Gnomes For Sale"
"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! The original statues were hand crafted from terracotta, which remained the material of choice right up until the 1960s. These clay garden gnomes were often cherished, collectible ornaments that stayed in the family and were passed down through the generations. The first mass-production of garden gnomes was started by two Germans - August Heissner and Philip Griebel - back in 1872. So successful were they that Heissner Gnomes rapidly became world famous. Many of these early gnomes were beautifully made, often quite large (up to a meter) and incredibly finely-detailed. Although most remained in the garden, some found their way into wealthy homes as house ornaments or door guardians. Gnome mythology 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. Early gnomes were somewhat serious fellows, and remained so right up until Walt Disneys Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs gave us a glimpse of what was to come. The film was produced in 1937 but unfortunately, two years later, World War II pretty much wiped out gnome production right across 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. Nowadays, almost all of the old fashioned clay gnome makers have disappeared, and nearly all gnomes are made from plastic, in factories in Eastern Europe and the Orient. Gnomes are very popular with suburban gardeners, with many feeling that having gnomes dotted about creates a good overall impression of their garden, adding humor and panache to the design. 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! Last points: 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: |
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