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| French wallpaper, 1825 | Hirschl & Adler Galleries, Inc. | Architectural Digest, October 1995 |
I grew up in a house that had an ottoman that was covered with a needlepoint of a cornucopia. As a child, I found the concept and the image a little strange. Now, immersed as I am in things Neoclassic, I'm rather fond of cornucopia, and I take notice when I see them. And what I've been noticing is that cornucopia often come in pairs, which makes a lot of sense from a design perspective (we can't resist the symmetrical flourishes), but of course if one cornucopia represents plenty, two must be more than enough.
On your Thanksgiving, I hope that you are able to celebrate the plenty in your life, and just to remind you, I offer this posting of double cornucopia.
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| Russian Imperial Style, by Laira Cerwinske. Photograph by Anthony Johnson, 1990 |
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| Ivan Bilibin, Abrams Aurora, 1981 |
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| The doorway to Peter Paul Rubens' home and studio. Photography by Marianne Haas, 1982. |
These are wondeful especially the chair. I was always fascinated with this reoccuring subject in classical art and design.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a (Thanksgiving) post!
ReplyDeleteWell done Mark!
and a happy thanksgiving to you! art
ReplyDeleteThanks, David, Scott and Art! Enjoy the holiday.
ReplyDeleteStop it! You are making me giddy!! This is a wonderful treat. I also love the cornucopia ornamentation. This is a great collection! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteTheresa, I see cornucopia as a natural element for one of your grottesca ornamentations!
ReplyDeleteMark. I am working on a piece that has several elements you are featuring in this post! Thanks for the help in research. Trust me, when I finish this piece, I will post it!
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to seeing that design, as I have been thinking for a long time of doing a Pompeian mural on one of my own walls. I never noticed before how common it is for cornucopia to emerge from what appear to be leafy husks. To me that symbolizes renewal, as well as plenty.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful choice for a Thanksgiving post. Your selection of images is terrific, and I've enjoyed viewing them. You are correct, and I really never thought of it, but they are in pairs. Yet interestingly, the contents of fruit are usually not perfectly symmetrical or "mirrored." I like this type of symmetry best...balanced but with barely discernable differences and nuances. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteAnother delightful and insightful piece. Thank you, Mark.
ReplyDeleteI loved them all, but the chair and the Rubens' doorway pleased me the most.
I hope that your Thanksgiving was a pleasure.