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Great Garden Gnomes

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By relache


The Mythology of Gnomes

The origins of gnomes seems to go back to the days of Paracelsus. He was a Medieval healer and alchemist from Switzerland who lived in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. He listed them as a type of earth elemental creature.

However it wasn't until the 1800s that the actual creation of garden gnomes started. The first garden gnome statues are credited to a German ceramic artist named Philip Griebel. He crafted various forms in pottery for decoration and started making gnomes, inspired by the folk stories that these industrious and clever creatures would help you garden at night.

The debate about whether or not they were viewed as art or junk when they were first created has not been determined, as everyone's caught up in debating whether or not they are art or junk now.  And then there's the discussion around whether you perceive of gnomes as being good or evil....

Are You Gnomish?

What's your take on garden gnomes?

  • Tacky, tacky, tacky
  • Cute, but only if they're not in my yard
  • I'm a proud garden gnomer, let there be GNOMES!
  • Don't tell the folks just above, but my hobby is gnome liberation
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A gnome with a watering can (broken)
A gnome with a watering can (broken)


Solar-Powered Gnomes Light Up Your Night Garden

Moonrays 91441 Solar Powered Happy Gnome With Flowers Garden Accent Moonrays 91441 Solar Powered Happy Gnome With Flowers Garden Accent
Price: $23.92
List Price: $27.99
Echo Valley Hiking Solar Gnome Echo Valley Hiking Solar Gnome
Price: $27.69
List Price: $37.95
Green Bay Packers 15" Solar Gnome Green Bay Packers 15" Solar Gnome
Price: $42.95
List Price: $79.50

Are You Gnomish?

Garden gnomes run the gamut from cheap yard art to expression of traditional folk art. Both proud gnome owners and fierce gnome "liberators" (who steal gnomes) proclaim their actions with gnomes are an expression of freedom for the mythological creatures.

The mystery of the travelling gnome is just the latest in the modern manifestation of these earthy creatures. Executed well, it's a college prank elevated to the level of interactive, performance art: a gnome owner finds their garden figure gone, only to receive a series of photographs or postcards, showing the gnome at various travel locations. The practice existed well before it was depicted in the movie AMELIE, but exposure there introduced a whole new generation to the classic gnomish prank.

Some people proclaim their love of garden gnomes visibily and others prefer to have their earth elementals be a more subtle part of their garden.  Your gnome might be of substantial size and clearly displayed or it might be a smallish figurine that can only be spied if you lift the right leaf and peek.


Great Galloping Gnomes!

Welcome' Standing Gnome - Style 37096 Welcome' Standing Gnome - Style 37096
Price: $9.90
List Price: $24.99
On Strike' Sleeping Gnome - Style 37095 On Strike' Sleeping Gnome - Style 37095
Price: $7.84
List Price: $24.99
Golfing Gnome Golfing Gnome
Price: $18.17
List Price: $23.99
SocialFear Relief NativeRemedies SocialFear Relief NativeRemedies
Price: $34.33
List Price: $47.95
Earl earthworm Earl earthworm
Price: $27.99
Fancy Plants Mushroom Gnome By Fred Fancy Plants Mushroom Gnome By Fred
Price: $6.00

Gnome News

So, Gnome Lover or Gnome Hater? Or just Gnome Neutral?

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BigGirlBlue profile image

BigGirlBlue  says:
4 months ago

I have one gnome peeking out from an euonymus in the front yard.

RVDaniels profile image

RVDaniels  says:
5 months ago

Love 'em!

prasetio30 profile image

prasetio30  says:
5 months ago

thanks for share about this gareden. It become beautiful garden with gnomes statues.

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