Why Is Fruit Used in Door Decorations?
Fruit, whether real or artificial, is a common holiday decorative feature in door decorations such as wreaths and garlands. Pineapples often stand alone as sculptural features around doors in older homes.
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History
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It is a misconception that fruit was used to decorate holiday doors in the American Colonial period. According to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, it wasn't until 1939 that della Robbia-style wreaths became popular in the historic town's Christmas decorations.
Della Robbia
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Luca della Robbia was an Italian sculptor active during the 1400s who was well-known for his fruit themes. His work later influenced the stylists at "House Beautiful" magazine in 1926 who suggested wreaths and swags filled with fruit for decorations as seen in renaissance art.
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Significance
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Use of fruited wreaths was meant to hearken back to a simpler time, the Colonial Period, where people made do with less. The wreaths are handmade rather than bought, which was in the spirit of the holiday season before commercial products became available.
The Pineapple's Meaning
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Pineapple is a fruit often included in della Robbia-style wreathes, but its usage in architecture began the late 1600s and early 1700s when merchants began importing pineapple to the colonies from Jamaica. Pineapples were a sweet fruit that was served as a delicacy to guests, and became a sign of hospitality that stands to this day.
Fun Fact
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The colonists would not have left ripe fruit on their doors due to perceived waste and the threat of animal scavengers.
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