Let's Discuss Historic Garden Gnomes With The Return of My Favorite Antiques Show This Summer

Let Me Tell You About The 

 Garden Gnome

I Found At The 

Annual East Hampton Antiques & Design Show

my gnome (left)

a typical antique garden gnome often found in England

sourced in Dorset, England

I don't know about you but my summer calendar is filling up quickly this year.  Topping my list for Summer 2026 is to attend the annual East Hampton Antiques and Design Show.  The fun begins with the Opening Party Benefit on Friday, July 10 from 6:00-8:30 pm where guests will enjoy early shopping on the bucolic historic Mulford Farm.  There will be cocktails, nibbles and music and it's a wonderful way to meander the farm through the billowing white tents for some early antiques shopping.  The show is open the rest of the weekend both Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12th as well.  

This year is their 20th anniversary and there are a plethora of activities planned (stay tuned!).  In the meantime, you can purchase tickets to the antiques show and benefit here.  I've bought quite a few unique pieces over the years for my cottage in East Hampton.  One of my favorite finds was when I nabbed a 100-year old painted cement garden gnome. 

image via Grantham Garden Club

I stumbled upon the gnome years ago at the annual antiques show, and I confess I was not looking for a gnome. The couple's booth drew my attention and I was drawn to the lovely cascading antique vases filled with garden flowers.The benches, vintage horse sign and other antique garden statues caught my eye, as did, of course, the little impish gnome holding court at the entrance. While chatting with the owners (a former shop in Vermont), I learned the couple had traveled extensively to England and France to find their wares.  They picked up my little garden guy in a village just outside of Dorset, England. I happily plunked him in my garden hoping he would bring me good luck and keep guard over my home and family. 

Some History about the Garden Gnome-  I learned this legendary floral mascot became a popular relic during the 1800s in Europe and is believed to bring good luck to homeowners. The lore is they keep watch over the gardens and livestock. The gnome resembles a tiny old man living in the depths of the earth guarding buried treasures. Legend says he is a symbol of integrity, honesty and hard work and should provide assistance to all living things.  

It appears the very first garden gnomes were made of clay and produced in the 1800s in Germany by potter Phillip Griebel. Later, they were brought to England, and today garden gnomes can be spotted in many gardens of English cottages, manors and farmhouses.  Although, they later were mass-produced, and often associated with  kitsch design, I love the hard to find originals made of cement. 

Please stop back all month for more stories about the Antiques Show, their upcoming 20th Anniversaries and some of the vendors who will be showcasing their antiques this year.

My original story for local magazine, Dan's Papers in my former column, East End Nest. 

Happy Nesting

XO Tamara