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What fruit was the symbol of hospitality?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

April 15, 2002

Series:  | 1 |  | 2 |  | 3 |  | 4 |  

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Chateau Anjou Demi-Desk, Charles II Armchair—>Click here.

Abbotsford House Victorian Sofa, San Giacomo Side Table—>Click here.

Sir Benedict's Library Table, Swan Fainting Couch—>Click here.

Historic Monk's Bench, La VoÛte Grande Crescent Mahogany Executive Desk—>Click here.

The pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill) [a nay' nas co mo' sus] is the first bromeliad to interest early explorers. The plant is thought to have originated in Brazil, but this is uncertain since no wild type exists. When Columbus and his crew encountered the pineapple on the island of Guadeloupe in 1493, it was fully domesticated and had been in cultivation
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Pineapple Court

Pineapple motifs were carved onto door and gate posts, bed posts in guest rooms had pineapple finials, and stone pineapples decorated gardens.
Pineapple Court Art Print by  Art Fronckowiak
Buy Art Print at AllPosters.com

for at least 500 years.

The Spanish and Portuguese introduced the plant around the world. By 1549, pineapples were cultivated in India; by 1690, three varieties were reported growing on the islands of Rodriguez and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.

It is said that ship captains would impale a pineapple on a porch railing to announce they were at home and accepting visitors. The pineapple became both a symbol of hospitality and status since only the wealthy could afford to purchase the fruit.

Pineapple motifs were carved onto door and gate posts, bed posts in guest rooms had pineapple finials, and stone pineapples decorated gardens. A fruit bowl with a pineapple centerpiece demonstrated to guests that the hostess welcomed her dinner companions as well as announced her refined tastes and family's financial position.

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John Rose the King's Gardener, Presenting Charles II with a Pineapple

John Rose the King's Gardener, Presenting Charles II with a Pineapple   Hendrick Danckerts  Buy Framed Art Print at AllPosters.com

As the wealthy vied to purchase the fruit, gardeners vied for the privilege of growing this bromeliad. It was known in Europe how to propagate the plant from the crown of leaves at the top of the fruit. Still gardeners were unsuccessful getting their plants to bear fruit.

In 1675, John Rose, the head gardener for King Charles II, was the first to bring a pineapple plant to maturity. The occasion was considered so momentous that a painting of Rose presenting the pineapple to King Charles was commissioned.


L'Age d'Or has posted the painting of "Charles II and his Gardener". To view the painting of Charles and John Rose, click on the link:

http://www.kipar.org/period-galleries/galleries_1670p.html

 

Series:  | 1 |  | 2 |  | 3 |  | 4 |  

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

 

Suggested Reading:

What is papain? Plants that Changed History -July 1, 2003
Why did seafarers plant pineapples? Plants that Changed History - April 16, 2002
What is a mango? Weird Plants - January 8, 2004
What flower blooms inside its fruit? Renfield's Garden - September 4, 2002
What is a navel orange? Weird Plants - February 13, 2003

Killer Savings Links:

Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.

Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Henry Fields Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.

Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.

 

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you.  Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

Chateau Anjou Demi-Desk

Chateau Anjou Demi-Desk

Our early 18th century French antique replica is sized for versatility and boasts a sliding desktop for added writing space. Of handcarved mahogany, it features two shelved cabinets and drawers for storage, flanking a space for display. It's rich authentic period details take a team to complete this signature piece of furniture art. Ships in 2 pieces. 39"Wx26"Dx54"H. 100 lbs.


  Chateau Anjou Demi-Desk
Charles II Armchair

Charles II Armchair

Since the 1700s, European castles have filled their massive halls with elaborately carved chairs like our exclusive replica. Picture today's highly skilled craftsmen, like those 300 years ago, carving a single, solid mahogany chair by hand--you'll soon realize why it is wrought with ornate beauty! A hand-rubbed finish and a multi-colored coat of arms jacquard tapestry, upholstered on front and back, give it all the authenticity of a fine period antique. See additional views for upholstery color swatch. Call for free fabric swatches at 1-800-525-5141. (with arms) 22"Wx21"Dx44½"H. 25 lbs.


  Charles II Armchair
Abbotsford House Victorian Sofa

Abbotsford House Victorian Sofa

The deep-seated comfort of this stately sofa lies in its 8-way hand tied suspension, covered in exquisite double-welted quality jacquard upholstery in the color of scarlet flora atop light green vines and set against a tan background. Taking two weeks to handcarve in solid mahogany, from the gracefully arching legs and arms to the intricately stylized nobleman at its crown, this expansive reproduction sofa is true Victorian style. See additional views for upholstery color swatch. 60"Wx27"Dx41"H. 85 lbs.


  Abbotsford House Victorian Sofa
San Giacomo Side Table

San Giacomo Side Table

Originally used to store cigars, this ingenious work of furniture art is so perfectly sized that it will be at home almost anywhere! Like the original antique, our exclusive, solid mahogany table sits atop cabriole legs and features 2 drawers and a single shelf behind a hinged door ready to guard your treasures. Bedside or in a drawing room, you'll appreciate this replica English antique for its quality ornate hand-carving, a distinctive feature of the Baroque style. 16"Wx16"Dx34"H. 28 lbs.


  San Giacomo Side Table
Sir Benedict's Library Table

Sir Benedict's Library Table

Almost five full feet of ornately hand-carved stylized lions, acanthus leaves and ornate turnings embellish everything from the balustrade's gadroons to the half-foot-wide apron on this Design Toscano signature piece! Requiring well over a week of skilled hand-carving to create, this grande-scale investment in historic furniture art is a celebration of the decorative architecture of the Renaissance. Whether it serves in the library, entry or office, our solid hardwood piece is stylishly distinctive. Simple assembly required. 60"Wx28"Dx30"H. 93 lbs.


  Sir Benedict's Library Table
Swan Fainting Couch (Left Version) (Shown Here)

Swan Fainting Couch (Left Version) (Shown Here)

Just as fashionable today as when Victorian ladies "swooned" on similar styles a century ago, our exclusive replica couch with 8-way hand-tied suspension sends an upscale decorating message. Richly hand-rubbed mahogany recreates a finely aged piece. Upholstered in a beautifully textured golden wheat colored brocade jacquard fabric on front and back with a detached pillow roll, the hand-carved mahogany back boasts a swan motif. Each approx. 73"Wx28"Dx34"H. 40 lbs.


  Swan Fainting Couch
Historic Mahogany Monk's Bench

Historic Mahogany Monk's Bench

Our favorite English antique dealer agreed to have this stunning medieval Monk's Bench reproduced for us complete with all its rich, handcarved details. Clergy members used it to store vestments before the advent of closets. Both stylish and functional, this heavyweight, high-back bench with carved panels, provides seating for two, and deep storage for items such as fine linens, books or treasures from a bygone era. For authentic character, it takes over two weeks to hand carve and hand-finish the solid mahogany to replicate the original antique. A Toscano exclusive. 48"Wx21"Dx48"H. 90 lbs.


  Sir Benedict's Library Table
La VoÛte Grande Crescent Mahogany Executive Desk

La VoÛte Grande Crescent Mahogany Executive Desk

With a rich, natural, solid mahogany grain radiating from its center like a sunburst, our impressively sculptural executive desk glows as a six-foot expanse of pure drama. This heirloom work of furniture art demands its due as a true statement piece, with bowers of acanthus stretching across the 6½-inch apron, and rich barley twist edging that's impossible to ignore. Our most experienced wood carvers work well over a week to add the half-dozen cabriolet legs, the center drawer and the rich embellishments that adorn all sides of this luxurious executive desk. Our Toscano-exclusive investment in furniture art is a dramatic focal point for a luxury lifestyle. See Additional Views for details. 76½"Wx37"Dx31"H. 121 lbs.


  La VoÛte Grande Crescent Mahogany Executive Desk
    
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