Would you like to learn more about the inventor of garden gnomes? Would you like to understand their purpose? Or would you like to buy garden gnomes but don't know where you can find them?
At gartenzwerge-lustig.de, we have the answers to your questions!
The garden gnome was originally invented for purely decorative purposes. Sometimes it can also serve as a fan, but its main purpose is to bring life to your garden.
In this article, you will learn about:
- The inventor of garden gnomes
- The symbolism behind this object
- The benefits of having a gnome in your garden.
You will learn everything you need to know about garden gnomes, and you will find out where you can buy them.
Without further ado, let's get to the main topic.
Who invented garden gnomes?
Before we look at the purpose of garden gnomes, we should take a look at their history. In what context were they invented? Who designed them?
We will look at these questions in a moment.
The inventor of garden gnomes
Garden gnomes were not originally invented to be placed in gardens. The design of garden gnomes comes from the image of the workers in the mines of Cappadocia in Turkey.
These workers wore a red hat filled with straw to protect themselves when certain debris fell. They also wore light-colored clothing so they could be easily seen in the mine.
Mine owners built wooden statues of them, which were supposed to ward off the "evil powers of the underworld".
The oldest garden gnomes in the world are marble statues designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. They were made between 1690 and 1695 and are now kept at Mirabell Palace in Salzburg.
The development and symbolism of garden gnomes
Several centuries later, Germany and Switzerland began the industrial production of ceramic garden gnomes.
However, the garden gnome fashion actually originated in England in 1847. Sir Charles Isham brought 21 ceramic garden gnomes back from his trip to Germany and displayed them in his garden.
At that time, garden gnomes were in fashion: Everyone wanted to have a gnome in their garden. The production of garden gnomes was therefore adopted throughout Europe.
After the film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was released in theaters in 1937, the popularity of garden gnomes skyrocketed worldwide. A few months later, there were an estimated 20,000,000 garden gnomes in Germany.
In 2001, garden gnomes made a comeback through the film The Fabulous World of Amélie Poulain, in which a stolen garden gnome was on the move throughout the entire film. A year later, they were brought back into the spotlight again through the release of Renaud's song "Mon nain de jardin" (My Garden Gnome).
In no time at all, the garden gnome conquered every garden in Europe.
Why should you put a gnome in your garden?
Now that you have learned more about the origin of garden gnomes and their history, we want to look at their purpose. Is the garden gnome really useful?
Let's find out now.
The purpose of garden gnomes
A frequently asked question about garden gnomes is: "What are they good for?".
Well, the answer is a bit ambiguous. Garden gnomes were not invented to solve a problem. They were invented exclusively for decorative purposes.
However, it is not unusual to hear that garden gnomes keep birds out of your garden. Like a scarecrow, the garden gnome is supposed to remind the birds of the human figure. They can therefore be used for this purpose.
However, it is important to remember that garden gnomes were not created for this purpose. It would therefore not be surprising if birds were not deterred by these little folklore figures.
Nowadays, garden gnomes have evolved enormously. They are no longer made of terracotta (because it is too fragile), but of concrete or resin. You can even find some plastic models.
Over time, the face of the garden gnome has changed again and again. You will find garden gnomes for every taste. Humorous, creepy or extravagant - every conceivable expression has already been invented.
Whatever your taste is, you will always find a garden gnome that suits you.
Where can you find garden gnomes?
Another question that is also frequently asked is: "Where can I find garden gnomes?"
Nowadays, garden gnomes are becoming increasingly difficult to find. However, you can find them in some garden stores. One thing is certain: The selection is not very large.
The easiest way today is to order them online. There you will find a large selection of garden gnomes, each more surprising than the next.
We offer a very large selection of garden gnomes. From the firefighter garden gnome to the beer garden gnome, you will surely find the right gnome for your style (and your garden).
Get an original garden gnome
You now know everything there is to know about the history of garden gnomes. You can explain it to your loved ones and hopefully convince them to put a garden gnome in their garden.
And if you want an original, funny or modern garden gnome, take a look at our Garden Gnome Catalog.