What are laurel leaves?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
October 1, 2004
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading—>Click here.
Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.
Killer Picks: Triumph of Apollo Tapestry, Trentino Open Front Buffet—>Click here.
Apollo's Lyre Occasional Table, Korinna's Maidens Sculptural Wall Frieze—>Click here.
Downey Street Hall Stand, The Sudbury Solid Pine Dining Table—>Click here.
Daphne Wall Sculpture, Apollo Sculptural Bust on Roman Column Plinth—>Click here.
Apollo's bay or laurel (Laurus nobilis Linnaeus) is the source of the culinary spice, bay leaf; a seasoning added whole to cooking food, then removed and tossed away before serving. Bay leaf is common in kitchens coming down through the ages from its home along the northern Mediterranean and Asia Minor.
According to Pliny the Elder, wreaths upon the brows of victors began with Livia Drusilla, the wife of Caesar Augustus. Legend says a gift was dropped in Livia's lap by an eagle, "a hen of remarkable whiteness...it was holding in its beak a laurel branch bearing its berries." The hen and her descendents lived at The Poultry, the country mansion of the Caesars on the Tiber River. The laurel branch was planted and propagated, "...the laurel grove so begun has thriven in a marvelous way....Afterwards the Emperor when going in a triumph held a laurel branch from the original tree in his hand and wore a wreath of its foliage on his head, and subsequently every one of the ruling Caesars did the same; and the custom was established of planting the branches they had held....
"The laurel itself is a bringer of peace....With the Romans especially it is used as a harbinger of rejoicing and of victory, accompanying dispatches and decorating the spears and javelins of the soldiery and adorning the generals' rods of office. From this tree a branch is deposited in the lap of Jupiter...whenever a fresh victory has brought rejoicing, and this is not because the laurel is continually green,...but because it flourishes in the greatest beauty on Mount Parnassus and consequently is...dear to Apollo...another reason...because it was there that Brutus won freedom for the people by kissing the famous plot of earth that bore the laurel...and another reason is that the laurel alone of all the shrubs planted by man and received into our houses is never struck by lightning." (Book XV, Natural History, trans. H. Rackham, 1945, Loeb Classical, reprinted 2000)
We speak of laurels, of distinction and honors acquired, but actual crowning with laurel wreaths dwindled with the Renaissance. The berry of the laurel, bacca laurus, or baccalaureate is the distinction bestowed when one is ready for apprenticeship to master an art or science.
Even bachelor came down from Old French, bachelier, and Middle Latin, baccalaris and baccalarius. The bachelier was a probationary stage of knighthood, a vassal (tenant farmer) who rode into battle following the banner of a knight. By proving himself with spirit, loyalty, and bravery, the bachelier attained certain rights granted by his 'landlord'—education, better food and housing, and his own banner of leadership. And he was ever so eligible for marriage. (The 1889 Century Unabridged Dictionary Online, Global Language Resources, Inc., 2001-2004.)
Arboles Ornamentales is a beautiful website with numerous photographs of trees. To view close-ups of the leaves, flowers, and berries of Apollo's laurel, click on the link:
http://www.arbolesornamentales.com/Laurusnobilis.htm
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
Why was this tree sacred to Rome? Herbal Folklore - September 2, 2002
What spice was as valuable as gold and silver? Plants that Changed History - May 7, 2002
Why were Celtic warriors blue? Plants that Changed History - April 8, 2003
How did an ancient symbol acquire a bad name? What's in a Name? - November 8, 2004
Who was Egeria? What's in a Name? - June 27, 2003
What was the Pepper Gate? Plants that Changed History - May 21, 2002
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!
|
Larger Picture
|
|
Triumph of Apollo Tapestry
Design Toscano®
Beautifully framed by an ornate border, this richly allegorical and classically styled tapestry depicts Apollo and his beautiful muses in repose on a grassy hill.
Woven in soft shades of green, gold and softly royal hues in Belgium on a jacquard loom, it is lined in France. Our fine tapestry accommodates our optional rod and finials or hangs easily on metal hangers in the lining.
40½''Wx50½''H. 3 lbs.
Click here.
|
Trentino Open Front Buffet
Design Toscano®
|
Larger Picture
|
|
Handcarved solid mahogany antique replica.
Our exclusive buffet invites you to proudly showcase your fine collectibles and serving pieces atop its three generous expanses of solid, high-quality handcarved mahogany. This unique buffet will draw admiration for its embellishments including a center Greenman, spindle pediments and the ornate brass pull on its single drawer. Ships in two pieces.
50½''Wx22''Dx53''H. 133 lbs.
Click here.
|
Larger Picture
|
|
Apollo's Lyre Occasional Table
Design Toscano®
Hand-carved solid hardwood Victorian antique replica.
Originally inspired by Greek mythology, the distinctive lyre shape accented by four metal “strings” in this charmingly versatile occasional table belies its Victorian past. Almost two feet of solid, hand-rubbed, walnut-finished hardwood crowns this Toscano exclusive work of furniture art, perfect beside a sofa, chair or bed.
23½''Wx16½''Dx28''H. 27 lbs.
Click here.
|
Larger Picture
|
|
Korinna's Maidens Sculptural Wall Frieze
Design Toscano®
Inspired by the 5th-century Greek poet Korinna.
In the style of neoclassical paintings, this impressive, nearly yard-tall, bas-relief wall frieze is ornate in every aspect of composition and style. Two lovely maidens pose amidst traditional Greek columns and urns, wearing laurel leaf crowns and surrounded by ancient instruments.
This Toscano exclusive is accented by a hand-painted resin frame bedecked with exquisitely detailed ornamentation.
28''Wx3½''Dx31½''H. 25 lbs.
Click here.
|
Larger Picture
|
|
Downey Street Hall Stand
Design Toscano®
Hand carved solid mahogany replica with a variegated white solid marble shelf.
Don’t let the humble name “hall stand” fool you; with this renaissance revival masterpiece as a focal point, any entryway becomes a grande hall. At nearly seven-feet tall, with three separate mirrors, it features carvings that take a team of craftsmen over three weeks to create.
Handsomely carved fluted columns, an acanthus leaf and shell motif, and dentil moldings under the pediment are complemented by delicate laurel swags. The base shelf is carved from variegated white solid marble and features a single drawer.
|
|
So finely crafted, it’s hard to distinguish between an antique and our heirloom quality exclusive replica.
52''Wx18''Dx87''H. 200 lbs.
Click here.
|
Larger Picture
|
|
The Sudbury Solid Pine
Dining Table
Design Toscano®
Our hand-carved, solid pine signature piece is an investment in European style.
Stretching a full seven feet long, this solid pine, estate-sized table boasts Gothic carvings of rosettes, scrolls and laurel bows highlighted by a hand-waxed, rich golden finish that’s been lightly distressed to create an aged patina. Seating 6-8 guests comfortably, this difficult-to-find dining table is sturdily constructed with a single stretcher bar between its hand-turned legs.
|
|
A true statement piece anywhere in your home. Simple assembly required.
84''Lx37''Dx30''H. 115 lbs.
Click here.
|
Larger Picture
|
|
Daphne Wall Sculpture
Design Toscano®
By artist Ann Douglas Zeleny
“Daphne,” the Greek name for the goddess Laurel, is manifested here with hair made of her namesake leaves. Laurel was the plant of inspiration and poetic frenzy, perhaps explaining the tiny muses that seem to whisper in the ear of this highly stylized artwork.
Cast in designer resin for home and garden display.
11''Wx2''Dx18''H. 6 lbs.
Click here.
|
Apollo Belvedere Sculptural Bust on Roman Column Plinth
Design Toscano®
|
Larger Picture
|
|
Adopt the stately lineage of classical Roman and British gardens with this bust artistically replicated from a 19th-century, larger-than-life, English work.
The most worshipped of the 12 gods of ancient Greece, handsome Apollo was the patron of light, youth and masculine beauty.
Our exclusive sculpt sits atop an equally beautiful, two-foot Corinthian columnar plinth to showcase its amazing elegance.
Both pieces are cast in quality designer resin with a faux stone finish to replicate the ancient originals.
Click here.
|
| |
killerplants Recommended Smart Stores
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 BACK TO TOP
|
|
