MUNICH, GERMANY – Wall Ornament

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PLACE REPRESENTED: Munich , Germany

ITEM: Wall Ornament

NOTES: A traditional looking wall plate with some of the sites of Munich (Munchen in German). Though it is not as olde worlde traditional as it seems at fist glance.. Next to the New Town Hall (circa 1874), and and the twin towers of the Roman Catholic Frauenkirche (circa 1524) is the Olympiaturm (circa 1968).

The coat of arms of Munich depicts a monk dressed in a habit holding a book. Not surprising as the German name for Munich, München, means “of Monks”.

What happens in Munchen if you get the munchies? (okay, that was lame)

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1970s

MADE FROM: wood (reconstituted)

MADE IN: unknown

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 20cm diameter

 

MEXICO – Religious Ornament

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MEXICO PLACE REPRESENTED: Mexico

ITEM: Religious Ornament

NOTES: Mexican religiosity on display. The Virgin Mary (specifically the Virgen de Guadelupe as Mary is known after apparitions on the Hill of Tepeyac, which later became part of Villa de Guadalupe, in a suburb of Mexico City, in the 16th century) in a Bottle Shrine is common and popular in Mexico (and yes just in case you didn’t know, “Mexico” is written on the bottom of the bottle) but also appears in other places in Latin America. Each one of these shrines is individual. The bottle conveys the admiration of the through color, glitter, candles, flowers and shine and is specifically Mexican! The diorama inside are different on both sides. And prudish they are not the bottle is a recycled Corona beer bottle. Catholics have never had a problem with alcohol.

The diorama in a bottle hobby is hundreds of years old. Sometimes called the “impossible bottle” craft because the bottle contains an object that appears too large to fit through the bottle’s mouth (and the bottle must not be cut) this is something that needs skill and patience and ingenuity.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 2000s

MADE FROM: glass , paper , plastic

MADE IN: Mexico I suspect

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 19cm tall

 

BALLARAT VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – Wall Ornament

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PLACE REPRESENTED: Ballarat (specifically Sovereign Hill), Victoria , Australia

ITEM: Wall Ornament

NOTES: A small wall plate depicting Sovereign Hill that’s “not for use for serving food”.

Sovereign Hill is a 25-hectare open-air museum in Golden Point, a suburb of Ballarat, Victoria which depicts Ballarat’s first ten years after the discovery of gold there in 1851. The site comprises over 60 historically recreated buildings and was opened in 1970.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1970s

MADE FROM: ceramic material

MADE IN: Japan

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 10cm diameter

MEXICO – Ornament

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PLACE REPRESENTED: Mexico

ITEM: Ornament

NOTES: A colourful mini sombrero celebrating colourful Mexico. It makes me want to go there. Well, not quite, but it is colourful , and so is Mexico , and both are quite beautiful in their own way.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1980s

MADE FROM: cloth material

MADE IN: unknown

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 16cm diameter

SAMOS, GREECE – Cup

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PLACE REPRESENTED: Samos , Greece

ITEM: Cup

NOTES: Samos is a Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea off the coast of Asia Minor, from which it is separated by the 1.6km Mycale Strait. In ancient times Samos was a particularly rich and powerful city-state, particularly known for its vineyards and wine production. Hence the grapes and olives depicted on the island, with the gril in traditonal dress and the Greek flag … in fact they have covered everything almost. Samos is now more known for it’s beaches and as a holiday destination. I have no idea what is written on the side.

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1990s

MADE FROM: ceramic material

MADE IN: Greece

MANUFACTURER: AΦK TO MEΛI

DIMENSIONS: 8cm high X 10cm across x 8cm diameter

SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA – Wall Plate

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PLACE REPRESENTED: Sunshine Coast, Queensland , Australia

ITEM: Wall Plate

NOTES: A small wall plate done in bamboo (Queensland …. sub-tropics …it works … sort of). Simple but pleasant … and very 1970s

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1970s

MADE FROM: Bamboo

MADE IN: unknown

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 16cm diameter

IRELAND – Key Holder

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PLACE REPRESENTED: Ireland

ITEM: Key Hook

NOTES: A key chain with, perhaps, the most famous of Irish catholic blessings or prayers (which was originally written in Gaelic). It is attributed to Saint Patrick and is often recited at weddings, funerals and christenings, sometimes even sung, as the hymn ‘St Patricks Breastplate’. Johnny Lydon (of Sex Pistols fame) also lifted parts of it for his Public Image Limited song “Rise” (1986)

YEAR (APPROXIMATE): 1970s

MADE FROM: wood , tile .

MADE IN: unknown

MANUFACTURER: unknown

DIMENSIONS: 14cm x 20cm