What is the history of the garden gnome?
The first garden gnomes were introduced to the United Kingdom in 1847 by Sir Charles Isham, when he brought 21 terracotta figures back from a trip to Germany and placed them as ornaments in the gardens of his home, Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire. Only one of the original batch of gnomes survives: Lampy as he is known, is on display at Lamport Hall, and is insured for one million pounds.
Garden gnomes have become a popular accessory in many gardens, although they are not loved by all. They are often the target of pranks: people have been known to return garden gnomes "to the wild", most notably France’s "Front de Liberation des Nains de Jardins" and Italy’s "MALAG" (Garden Gnome Liberation Front). Some kidnapped garden gnomes have been sent on trips around the world passed from person to person and photographed at famous landmarks, with the photos being returned to the owner; this practice is featured in the 2001 French film, Amélie and in the Travelocity commercials of the Roaming Gnome. Garden gnomes were made in various poses and pursuing various pastimes, such as fishing or gardening.
A sub-culture exists among those who collect garden gnomes, which is frequently lampooned in popular culture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_gnome
March 6th, 2010 at 11:00 am
The first garden gnomes were introduced to the United Kingdom in 1847 by Sir Charles Isham, when he brought 21 terracotta figures back from a trip to Germany and placed them as ornaments in the gardens of his home, Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire. Only one of the original batch of gnomes survives: Lampy as he is known, is on display at Lamport Hall, and is insured for one million pounds.
Garden gnomes have become a popular accessory in many gardens, although they are not loved by all. They are often the target of pranks: people have been known to return garden gnomes "to the wild", most notably France’s "Front de Liberation des Nains de Jardins" and Italy’s "MALAG" (Garden Gnome Liberation Front). Some kidnapped garden gnomes have been sent on trips around the world passed from person to person and photographed at famous landmarks, with the photos being returned to the owner; this practice is featured in the 2001 French film, Amélie and in the Travelocity commercials of the Roaming Gnome. Garden gnomes were made in various poses and pursuing various pastimes, such as fishing or gardening.
A sub-culture exists among those who collect garden gnomes, which is frequently lampooned in popular culture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_gnome
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