I am a bit late in publishing a blog post about decorating with glass cloches and domes. There have been so many others I just stayed away from this topic even though I loved vignettes that feature them. However, I recently received a beautiful gift from a lovely friend in France that has been the inspiration for this post about displaying treasured items under glass cloches.
Imagine my delight when, upon opening the package, I discovered a gift wrapped in a delicate handkerchief and all tied up with a burgundy ribbon. Inside was an exquisite lace and hand beaded baby's cap. The note enclosed stated she had found it in an attic sale in Provence and determined it to be from the 18th century. Needless to say this will be a treasured item for the remainder of my life and hopefully a family heirloom for generations. I decided nothing would be lovelier than to display it, along with handkerchief and note, in a glass cloche. Daniele, again I say thank you for your thoughtfulness. I hope you enjoy the blog post.
My vignette with dome and French baby's cap gifted from my friend Daniele.
Even in this close-up it is hard to see the green and blue beading and gold bead star on top. The lace and ribbon are so delicate. I am still looking for the perfect unique base.
I prefer vignettes that are old world and antique in nature so this post will spotlight cloches used in this manner. Bringing cloches and domes inside for display purposes is nothing new. However if you like them you can't really get enough so I am adding my blog post images to the many others out there that pertain to this topic.
In 1623 the glass cloche was introduced and this brilliant invention took the gardening world by storm. The French immediately adopted the cloche, and 9th-century French market gardeners placed cloches over plants in spring and fall to act as portable miniature greenhouses to protect against inclement weather. English and Dutch gardeners soon followed their French counterparts.
Cloche is French for bell thus the term "bell jar" was often used for these eye-catching bell shaped glass domes. Today we tend to lump all styles of glass domes into the the same category even though they are not bell shaped.
Originally protecting delicate plants the cloche has been brought inside our homes and are now protecting a wide variety of objects that we hold dear and want to display in vignettes for all to see. If you haven't tried using one in your decor yet maybe this will ignite creative juices for making a cloche or dome display of your own.
Even though these are glass domes I am going to refer to them as cloches too since they are now accepted as cloches. The cloche is considered a mainstay of faded French decorating.They’re incredibly versatile and elevate almost whatever you display, from books.......
Janet Copeland via Pinterest
...........to pastries.
via Pinterest
Eventually the French brought cloches and domes indoors to protect their treasured items. A trend developed and the globe de mariée (marriage globe) became extremely popular.
Traditionally this decorated cloche/dome was given to a bride and groom to commemorate their wedding day. ( Stay tuned for a blog post all about these fantastical creations.)
Victorians loved glass cloches and domes. Collecting was a major part of Victorian life and their collections often contained “curiosities” such as zoological, botanical, geological, or archaeological finds. In the Victorian home everything from butterflies to human body parts could find their way under a glass cloche or dome.
Entire Victorian rooms were filled with cloches, domes, glass cases and collections.
Today we are revisiting the Victorian era trend of displaying oddities as well as memorabilia and collected treasures. And like them, we have realized that the glass cloche is the perfect display piece.
Putting a glass dome over something instantly elevates it to a treasured piece of art. Cloches were originally only used by the wealthy because glass was expensive.
Timeless and elegant, shades of white look especially pretty in a glass cloche.
via Pinterest
A cloche or dome is a favorite way of calling attention to groupings of small treasures.
This is my favorite use of a cloche, a simple display of a few old world treasures. If you are trying to create an authentic French Provincial or French Nordic interior be sure to search for pieces of French brocante.
It is the elegant shape of a glass cloche that makes it a perfect display piece that also doubles as a work of art suitable for any tablescape.
A close-up of the glass cloche in the interior above. Something about a display in a cloche or glass dome allows you to magically capture a moment in time.
via Pinterest
Antique books always display well in a cloche. Coral is a nice addition.........
mariaraci.blogspot.com
......as is a crown or laurel.
A glass cloche or dome always looks stunning when used in a creamy white and French gray vignette.
They are equally beautiful in a more classically French interior where there is normally a bit more color. The cloche can stand alone or be stunning in groups.
They really shine when used in front of ornate French mirrors!!
I love using a cloche or dome for display because you get alot of bang for the buck. They add visual interest to your space while allowing the eye to see through to your treasures.
via Pinterest
via Pinterest
An urn makes a fabulous base for a cloche. Be creative and look for something other than the usual base.
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Plants always look stunning under a cloche. After all this was the original purpose for them.
A nature themed cloche is always pretty mixed in with plants and weathered containers of flowering bulbs.
When decorating a French style home you simply can't go wrong with crystal, weathered wood, and a cloche or two.
Try your hand at creating a cloche or dome display. Whether you showcase one item or fill the cloche with beaucoup treasures, you will enjoy this lovely addition to your decor.
Click here to see the previous postThis blog post was published by Lisa Farmer