A
search of the internet will show a much more virile version of
Priapus but since I don't wish to jolt anyone I have used the more PG
version of him. 
Gnome Genealogy
It is believed that Gnomes are descended from Priapus, whose statue was often found in ancient gardens. Priapus was a god of gardens and herds.
Priapus
A
search of the internet will show a much more virile version of
Priapus but since I don't wish to jolt anyone I have used the more PG
version of him.
d
as decoration in gardens and lawns. The first mass produced garden gnomes were
made in
Thuringia, Germany in the mid-19th century. In 1874 Philipp Griebel
opened his own ceramics factory which is still run today by his great
great grandson, Reinhardt. On the right is Philipp Griebel who looks a bit gnomish himself.
This is "Old Ugly" one of
our vintage gnomes. The story, from the flea
market vendor who sold it to us, was that old ugly sat on a
shelf
belonging to his mother for at least 25 years. Mother credits "Old
Ugly" with getting her through some tough times and even attributes
"gnome magic" to Old Ugly. Anyway, the orginal gnomes looked
more
like "Old Ugly". Old Ugly is seen in an old pub, in Merry old England
on the right. On the left, he was perched on "Mother's Shelf". 
In 1847, Sir Charles Isham came back from
Germany with a strange set of 21 gnomes. Made out of terracotta, sloppy
clay poured into formation, the gnomes sent waves through the United
Kingdom as soon as they set foot on British shores.
Their spread was unstoppable, especially after Sir Isham sprinkled the grounds of his estate, Lamport Hall with the diminutive decorations.
Of the original 21 gnomes brought back from Germany, only one still exists today. Isham's daughters, who hated the gnomes, removed 20 of them from their property, overlooking only one. The gnome that got away was Lampy, and he has happily made his home at Lamport Hall since his immigration from Germany in 1847. Over 150 years old, he is the oldest garden gnome in the world.
In 1997, Lampy was insured for £1 million, and is estimated to be worth £2 million. Visitors can see the grumpy garden fellow on display in Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire.
In 1960 the first plastic gnomes were manufactured in Germany. This began the true golden age of garden gnomes. Manufacturers started to diversify the gnome’s range of activities (playing music, fishing, playing sports etc.)
The Traveling Gnome
Part of the current popularity of garden gnomes may be due to a prank known as "The Traveling Gnome" which begins with stealing a gnome from its garden, taking it along on a trip, and photographing it in various exotic locations. The gnome is then returned to its owner with the photographs, often surreptitiously. The first record of a traveling gnome is said to have appeared in a Sydney, Australia, newspaper story in 1986. A traveling gnome also appeared in the 2001 movie "Amelie," and in 2004, the online travel agency Travelocity launched a viral marketing campaign called "Where Is My Gnome?" The traveling gnome is now the official mascot and logo of Travelocity. These and other pop culture references to garden gnomes have helped to increase the popularity of these traditional yard ornaments.
When you place a gnome in your garden, you will bring delight to yourself whenever you lay eyes on him or her. Can a gnome help sell your house? Press here!