Garden Statues Enhance Garden Design
Gardens are almost as old as time, yet serve the same purpose they always have. They provide a sanctuary in which one can retreat to escape the pressures of the day as well as provide the produce needed to ensure the family’s daily nutritional requirements are met even when money is scarce. As gardens evolved, so too did the many ways in which they could be adorned. One way, which has remained popular to this day, is with the use of garden statues.
The oldest records of garden design came from Egypt around 1400BC. These were designed with functionality and pleasure in mind. They often contained rectangular fish ponds filled with aquatic life, flora, reeds, and water fowl covered by carved pergolas. Around the outside were fruit trees and pictures of the time depict statues of the goddess Venus along with servants holding baskets of fruit and jugs of wine.
The 3rd century BC saw the development of what were known as market gardens which were public spaces in the Mediterranean and Eastern regions of the world. Designs were often based on Persian carpets with flower beds in rectangular or circular patterns built into the green base and surrounded by walking paths. Groomed trees were placed at the corners and people would go to lounge on blankets while they enjoyed the day. Heavenly rivers also coursed their way through the space and pavilions were built along the edge to provide shade.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, in what is today Iraq, are actually one of the seven wonders of the world and are really terraced roof gardens built over waterproof storage rooms and massive, arched stone foundations. These gardens contained thyme, saffron, anise, poppy, and other herbs beside other ornamentals along with a variety of trees. Hydraulic machinery drawn from deep wells supplied the water that was needed.
The concept of formal gardens continued to expand, but it was the Romans that developed the true art of garden design. These geometrically precise spaces contained colonnades, statuary, fountains, canals, plane trees, and topiary along with a variety of flora. Herbs were grown in raised beds and everything was watered by what were thought to be endless rivers. This was also the first time a formal eating area was included in the outdoor design. As avid collectors of Greek statuary, the Romans included them as key features in all their gardens.
Beginning about 350 AD gardens converted to more functional spaces where food, herbs, and medicines were grown. This began in the monasteries, but the concept grew quickly. However, during the Renaissance the popularity of public parks returned. Larger homes maintained the herb gardens, but the designed outdoor spaces around homes and public parks became mainstays which were soon adopted by the French who even came up with a blueprint in 1600AD.
Between Mollet and Notre during the 17th century, the design of French gardens set a precedence for others that are found throughout the world today. They were seen as pieces of the country laid out into walkways and alleys that contained groves of trees, fountains and canals. Everywhere they were adorned with the statuary and urns of ancient and modern times.
The one consistent concept since garden design began was the fact they included garden statues reflective of ancient and modern times. Today there are more choices available than ever before and they can reflect cultures throughout the world. Depending on an individual’s personal preferences and decor, statuary can enhance any outdoor space.
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