NUTTY ABOUT NATURE

“A Pineapple A Day … etc,” ….. PINEAPPLES part 2

The pineapple’s appeal goes far beyond its health benefits and yummy taste. Originally, because of the uniqueness and difficulty in obtaining one in pre-Colonial Europe (hiring a team of explorers, funding a long ocean trip….yadda, yadda….you get the picture) pineapples became very sought-after confections and a symbol of the status of the family who was able to serve them to their guests.

Naturally, the Pineapple image started to show up in art and architecture of its patrons. It was not unusual to see Pineapple finials on fence posts, brass door knockers, roof toppers and oil paintings in the finest of homes.

Over the years, pineapples actually became the symbol of hospitality due to the lengths some hostesses would go to obtain them for their guests. Not everyone could afford a Pineapple, but they could add a likeness of one on a hand-stitched pillow, a carved spoon or a painted cabinet.

Today, we can all afford to buy a Pineapple from our local grocer, but we still have an affinity for this charismatic fruit.

Everything from furniture, soft furnishings, art work and architectural elements are available and popular with current design trends.

One can easily add a tribute to their own home in a small way with a couple of lamp finials like this one…..

or a brass door knocker like the one that I have on my side gate, which is the only entrance used by family and close friends. In fact, my hubby ingeniously turned this knocker into a secret latch for opening this gate which has no knob or handle !

Of course, if you’d like to make a tribute in a larger way, just add an important piece of furniture to your home. There are some fabulous pieces with carved Pineapple elements.