Garden Gnomes

Garden gnomes are more than just decoration; many believe they are beings in their own secret society. Full of learned knowledge and helpfulness, these tiny statues adorn many gardens. Most you see are replica gnomes which are easy to mass produce and cheap; costing no more than a handful of dollars. True gnomes today are Kimmel Gnomes and cost a few hundred dollars and take two weeks to make each individual one. No production line, no factory line; each one handmade with care.

The first German garden gnome was made in the 1800's in Graeferoda, Thuringia, Germany. The first pair to start making them in any quantity were Philipp Griebel and August Heissner; Heissner Gnomes being the most well known worldwide. They were begun right around 1872, and magnificent in design. Thuringia became known as the Gnome capital of Europe.

Garden gnome lore has it that it is good luck to place a gnome in the home or garden. They help with chores, have an acute understanding of the Cosmos, and have the ability to predict and learn from the future.


Gnomes are around 12-15 centimeters tall and are in proportion. They are made with clay/terra cotta and usually have bright colors. They are representative to their culture, so that a gnome made in China will appear Chinese. The male gnomes weigh 300 grams; women 150-175 grams. The feet of a gnome are nearly pigeon toed said to give them added speed throughout the forest. Long beards turn gray before their hair does. They live in cohabitation with trees, animals and plants so they have insight into the spirits of woodland creatures.