Saturday, March 3, 2012

Macabre Antique French Marriage Globe with Bride's Skeletal Hand

An Addam's Family version of the classic French Globe de Mariage or Globe de Mariee. This particular Marriage Globe has something extra that most do not. The bride's skeletal hand with antique brass wedding ring!
I added this macabre element to this antique Marriage Globe because why wouldn't you want to have an even more personal keepsake that represents eternal love?
The real human skeletal hand is very old and has a lovely antique patina, as does the antique brass wedding band.
The hand is placed on the velvet pillow of the Marriage Globe, not permanently installed there, so it is removable should you want to hold it fondly.
The tradition of these lovely mementos of marriage began in France in the 19th Century and were used as a way for a married couple to display their wedding souvenirs and as a visual story of their wedding. The marriage globe would be prominently displayed in a couple's home and typically held the bride's crown as well as her bouquet (usually made from wax orange blossoms as the one here). The surrounding mirrors and gold ormolu leaves all have special symbolic meanings and tell the story of the couple.
The central mirror evokes the reflection of the soul, the truth.

Rectangular mirrors were related to the number of years between the couple's meeting and the promised marriage.

The oval mirrors were good luck gifts offered by the bridesmaids.

The number of small diamond-shaped mirrors represented the number of children the couple wished for.

The trapezoidal mirror symbolized the perfect agreement.
The orange blossom for virginity.

The rose for eternal love.

The daisy for innocence or purity.

Ivy leaves symbolized commitment.

Lime leaves symbolized fidelity.

The tree was a symbol of strength and love.

Ears of wheat were symbols of fertility or referred to the resurrection of life. They often represented the number 7 to recall the 7 days of the week.
Four-leaf clovers, a symbol of good luck

The fig leaf for prosperity, often paired with clusters of grapes.
The presence of a bird holding a laurel wreath meant that as the bird makes its nest, the woman builds her family.
A dove expresses the desire for peace in the home.
To buy this exquisite and haunting piece, stop by my website here.

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