Gartenzwerg mit Lampe, handbemalt, aus bruchsicherem Kunststoff, wetterfest While the gardens and parks of the wealthy were adorned with ostentatious sculptures, the middle classes got themselves the industrious red-bonneted helpers to watch over their modest gardens. That sight coupled with his avid reading of local tales and legends led to the creation of the gnome.Īround this time in 1873, the gnomes made an appearance in the popular little garden plots or SchrebergÃ¤rten. The story goes that Philipp Griebel and August Heissner fashioned these figures after Griebel visited nearby mines and saw stooped people working in the cramped mines. Gnomes are believed to have originated in the several terracotta factories in the eastern German state of Thuringia. Myths of these figures from the fairy world and buried treasure are widespread. In Germany especially hills and densely wooded areas evoke legends of dwarves, elves, and trolls. Gnomes hark back to the days of sagas and legends and almost all agree that they are strongly based on the most famous German fairy tale, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves'. Just what is it about these colourful dwarves that gets hordes of people worked up and write petitions and fight for the rights of hardened vinyl figures?Īpart from the fact that these midgets were first invented in eastern Germany in the 1870s, many believe that there's a strong romantic association to the topic. Zwerg mit Lurchen, auf der Mauer sitzend, handbemalt, aus bruchsicherem Kunststoff, wetterfest Members of the International Association for the Protection of Garden Gnomes fighting for the integration of garden gnomes into society also want gardeners to be issued with lawnmower licenses to ensure the safety of gnomes. or exposed to the elements during the night. The Congress also gave legal backing to garden gnomes to ensure that they aren't left at their posts after 5 p.m. You'll almost inevitably stumble upon the stout elfin figure glowering at you amid the peonies and lilac bushes.Īt the First International Garden Gnome Congress in Chemnitz, activists and gnome-lovers passionately debated the burning question of whether or not there should be female garden gnomes and the pro-lobby actually managed to get legal status for so-called gnomettes. A visit to a typical German garden will confirm this. So, gnoming is not just some eccentric affliction, but serious business in German society. If you think the Germans have truly lost their marbles, consider this: there are some 24 million gnomes scattered throughout Germany's gardens. Zwerg mit Schubkarre, handbemalt, Kunsstoff, wetterfest

'More rights for garden gnomes!', 'Longer sunny afternoons for Germany!' and 'Peace in the front garden!' the gnome activists yelled.

But not as much as a recent Garden Gnome Congress in the east German city of Chemnitz which attracted thousands of garden gnomes of all shapes and sizes and along with them garden gnome researchers, -collectors and -lovers from all over Germany. The puzzled and distraught father duly starts receiving postcards from his beloved by now jet-setting gnome and fears he's going out of his mind. The friend has the little bearded imp with the red pointy hat photographed against a backdrop of a host of world-famous sightseeing spots. In the recent French film 'Amelie', the capricious Amelie nicks her father's beloved garden gnome and packs it off with a friend who's a stewardess for an international airline.

Gnome amelie