I note that the same words are used in the two. Who lifted from whom I
don't know, but they're not independent sources.
I would also venture that a rare and expensive fruit would probably not
be wasted on an unwelcome guest at table. But it would make sense to have
the finials removed from a guest's bed when they've outworn their
pineapple welcome, and probably somebody did it somewhere sometime. I
know I have occasionally wished I could do something like that.
:)
Bob
Robert B Hole Jr
Museum Educator/Curator currently seeking employment
www.biologybase.com/resume/default.htm
At 10:18 AM 1/19/2006, you wrote:
These two sites will explain
the pinapple as a sign of hospitality. Hope this helps.
http://www.levins.com/pineapple.html
http://www.southernwindinn.com/pineapplehospitality.html
- -----Original Message-----
- From: Museum discussion list
[
mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Lynx
- Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006 12:40 PM
- To: [log in to unmask]
- Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] pineapple question
- I was intrigued by this, because I noticed the use
of pineapple motifs engraved on glasses, etc., at Colonial
Williamsburg. I associate pineapple with the tropics, and was
curious if the design was used in Williamsburg in the late 1700’s, or if
it was a contemporary motif..
- David
- This is a question for all you museum educators and curators out
there. My Education Coordinator is presenting a session at our local
historic sites consortium symposium about museum/historic house myths and
will be explaining but mostly debunking the popular myths heard around
the country, e.g. closets were taxed, firescreens kept people's wax
makeup from melting, the second leading cause of death among women was
catching on fire, etc.
- She has come across one that is intriguing and
wants to include it in her talk. There are apparently several versions of
the "pineapple story" floating around. One, a pineapple was
placed on a visitor's plate at mealtime if they had overstayed their
welcome thereby giving them a signal that it was time to leave. Another
version states that "pineapples" carved on the posts (I assume
the mean the finials) of four-poster beds were removed if the visitor has
overstayed their welcome. I think this last one refers to the
crosshatched elliptical decoration sometimes seen on rococo-style
furniture.
- Has anyone heard these or versions of these? Do
you have any suggestions on where it might have originated? We all know
about the pineapple being a symbol of welcome and hospitality, when was
this connection created?
-
- Heidi Campbell-Shoaf
- Curator
- Historical Society of Frederick County
- 24 E. Church St.
- Frederick, MD 21701
- [log in to unmask]
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