Prims By the Water

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Colonial Fruit


Thank you everyone for 
the birthday wishes!
It actually snowed Monday evening,
so Bob and I just went out for dinner...
no shopping.
We are going to try again tomorrow evening.

Before I talk about today's story,
I wanted to let you know 
why I chose to use a feather tree 
with cotton spun fruit ornaments.



Feather trees were not created until
1880-1890 and it was
the German immigrants who brought
these goose feather trees to America.
It is well documented that Prince Albert
introduced the first Christmas tree to the palace
with all of its German made ornaments and fruit.


Again Cotton Spun ornaments also 
 originated in Germany in the 19th century. 
A 3 inch ornament would take hours to make.
Cotton made into Santa's, angels, people,
animals and fruit were made.


I chose to incorporate only cotton spun fruit 
on my tree because fruit in Colonial days were
often given as gifts. 


Now my salter is a piece from the 1700's.
Salt needed to be covered to keep from clogging.
Colonial Americans made salt 
in iron kettles by boiling brine,
which was essentially salt water from the ocean.
You constantly had to keep the kettle boiling
to evaporate the water...what was left was salt.

Salt was an important part of preserving
meat over the long Winter months.
Even the Settlers reported that
Native Americans made salt in
Kanawha, West Virginia by boiling brine
from the natural springs there.

A steady supply of preserved meats,
played a vital role in the American Patriots
defeating the British during the 
Revolutionary War.
The British did not have even meat stored 
to supply their soldiers as we did.
So even though the tea tax may have
started the war, salt paved the way for us to
WIN


Stone fruit was made in the 19th century,
and would not have been found in a
colonial home.


However again fruit was very important
to the Colonists,
so this is why I chose my stone fruit
into my Christmas display.


Stone fruit is actually made from marble
and travertine stone.
Stone fruit stuck though when describing 
these beauties.


The 2 plums in the other pic
are those which Bob brought home.
He noticed  a whole compote of them
that one of our vendors was selling.

Colonial Fruit Giving Blessings To All!
Janice

20 comments:

  1. I have a feather tree and a few spun ornaments but not enough for a tree. I have seen the stone fruit but never collected them. Lovely display as always.
    Cathy

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  2. I have 2 "sugared" cotton spun fruit I put on my feather tree as well. I love the history of all that! I also have some stone fruit I recently bought out an estate and it 4 apples/peaches were in a box. I have mine in a wood bowl too. I had no idea about he salt! I hope you have fun shopping.

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    1. Cool you should post pics. Finished everything except my mom. Have to do that another day. Janice

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  3. Wishing you a belated Happy Birthday! Love all the colonial touches you are bringing out for the holidays...it's my very favorite historical time.
    Robyn

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    1. Thank you for the birthday wishes. Had a great day! More colonial to come. Janice

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  4. I love your tree and ornaments. I have thought I might try making one. I also enjoy the historical information you write with each post.

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    1. Thank you much! More historical info to come. Janice

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  5. Your decorations are interesting as is the history lesson. I'm not familiar about all these old ornaments.
    I hope that next year, you'll be on the list for the Christmas house tour.
    Hugs, Julia

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    1. Thank you Julia! Not sure if I will even accept our house for the tour next year...as I was so disappointed this year. We will see if asked again. Janice

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  6. I always learn delightful things from you. I love the spun cotton. That amazes me. I'm not surprised they take three hours to make. What surprises me is that it doesn't take more. And the stone fruit. I never knew that much about salt. Makes perfect sense!

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  7. Wishing you a belated happy birthday..

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  8. Hope your birthday was a fun one! I always learn something new when I visit your blog. I love the fruit...stone and spun! Your collections are not only pretty, but also so true to colonial times. Thanks for sharing today!

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    1. Yes birthday was good. Thank you! More to come tomorrow. Janice

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  9. Happy belated birthday Janice. I love your fruit. It sure is looking a lot like Christmas at your house.

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  10. Thanks Janet for the birthday wishes. Will miss you this Saturday. Hope you have fun if you go to Holley! Janice

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  11. I love all the history you have shared. Beautiful collections to display at Christmas.
    Rose

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