The garden gnomes: a special decoration

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Dwarves, gnomes and trolls come from fairytale countries. Originally, they symbolize knowledge, wisdom, wealth and success. Today they are very present in the garden decoration.

Some people find that it is the ultimate manifestation of bad taste, others are in love with garden gnomes and collect them passionately.

Composition of seven garden gnomes in different poses

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The garden gnome is a small humanoid figurine with a pointed cap used mostly in garden decoration. Originally from Germany, the garden gnome (in German Gartenzwerge) was successful in the 19th century. The first garden gnomes were created during the Renaissance in Italy and bore the name gobbi (dwarf in Italian). In the 18th century, the first porcelain garden gnomes were created and until the 19th century they were part of the decoration of many houses. In Switzerland, they started making wooden garden gnomes. It is especially in Germany that this type of decoration has had and continues to have a lot of success. The typical garden gnome is mostly male, often bearded, with a red cap and a pipe. He is often in different poses: either he fishes or he sleeps. There are different types of garden gnomes depending on the country of production. Many people are very passionate about garden gnomes. For superstitious people, it is a symbol of good luck. We also find the garden gnome in such films as The fabulous destiny of Amélie Poulain and recently in the English film Gnomeo and Juliet, whose protagonists are garden gnomes.

Some prefer to put a small figurine in their garden decoration as a symbol of good luck

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Garden gnomes smoking a pipe

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At its origin, the garden gnome is male. Today we find it in different variations: a couple.

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A traditional german garden dwarf

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Five dwarves of traditional German gardens

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The garden gnome inspired designers to create an original table decoration

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A big garden gnome

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The famous garden gnome of the French film The fabulous destiny of Amelie PoulainView in galleryThe garden gnomes: a special decoration | 20/21

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