A legend with respect to the origin of bottle trees is that originally this originated from the Congo centuries ago and were brought to the New World by slaves.
The idea behind them is that imps or mischievous spirits would be trapped in the bottles and thus the bottles served as a means to discourage these malevolent spirits. They would become trapped in the bottles. Blue cobalt glass was especially preferred; but some bottle tree decorators use different colored bottles.
Nowadays, you can buy bottles specifically made to be put on bottle trees. This regional custom has become mainstream. Somehow, this is less sporting, I guess.
Some bottle trees have the user employing whiskey or beer bottles. This can be convenient in dry counties where the Drys are plentiful, Also, law enforcement occasionally gets earnest in enforcing prohibition laws. Then, the yard artiste is well-advised to put up her or his store-bought, unlabeled ornamental bottles!
13 comments:
If the bottles aren't scrounged it kind of takes the sport out of it.
Cool. Thanks for sharing
That is neat!
I recently saw a bottle tree but it was different colours with blue and the basic green being the most. I actually think it is kind of cool. I did not know the history so now I would love to see a fairy stuck in one of those:)
I'd never heard of these but the metal trees are for sale at all different prices.
This would give a HOA fits!
I've often wondered what the bags of glass beads for sale in craft shops were used for ... now I know: they're bottle tree seeds!
I hope those trees don't drop their bottles in the fall.
That could be dangerous!
Thanks for your comments, everyone.
John, yes bottle trees do lose their bottles sometimes. And it's messier than Bartlett pears.
A most interesting and informative post. Thanks.
Greetings from London.
Haven't heard of this act before so its refreshing to learn. Greetings to you.
Blue bottles look nice.
Interesting. I'd not heard of this. It definitely has artistic potential.
Post a Comment