Glimpses of English Pineapples

Roving reporter, Colleen, did some investigative journalism for the Pineapple Princesses while on a recent trip to the UK.  Here is her account.

“The following are just some of the pineapples spotted around London. They certainly seem almost as obsessed today as they were in the 19th century.

Well, this magazine (mostly of real estate with stratospheric prices and shopping) was in the hallway of Kat's flat building so I borrowed it for a while. I think you have a pair of earrings in your collection a bit like these - what a trend-setter!"

Grapes also appear to be popular.

"Now we have a tie in Spitalfields, an edgy, arty neighbourhood and a top which was for sale in Liberty for a substantial sum (£215.00)!

These are some gorgeous containers from Merchant Archive. They are supposedly copies of Victorian pineapple keepers. This shop also had a dress with an all-over pineapple pattern (not photographed). It was a very up-market chi-chi shop in Notting Hill.”

Sir William Hooker’s house, Greenwich.

Early 19^th century Coade stone ornamental pineapples decorating the gate piers at Ham House, Surrey.

“Eleanor Coade (1733 –1821) was a British businesswoman known for manufacturing Neoclassical statues, architectural decorations and garden ornaments made of Lithodipyra (Coade stone) for over 50 years from 1769 until her death. Lithodipyra (stone fired twice) was a high quality, durable moulded weather-resistant, ceramic stoneware.” (Wikipedia)

 

Pineapple: Interiors and Exteriors

 When I asked German designer, interior architect and photographer, Katrin Greiling, if I could use her photographs of her commissioned  design bar and VIP lounge at the Stockholm Furniture Fair she immediately replied with “This sounds fun! Thanks for asking… Golden Circle Tropical Recipe Book, wow! I'm having a look ... Of course, take what you can find, we are happy to share the studio's pineapple love!”

Thanks very much Katrin, pineapple love must be universal!

She says that "the concept for the design bar reflects my experiences of recent years, during which I have spent much time working and living in different cultures. My goal has been to create an environment that draws on these global impressions,rather than telling a linear story. I like visitors to be able to come here for a break from the hustle and bustle of the fair. They become part of this stimulating environment, which plays with one's perceptions of private and public space."

http://www.designboom.com/design/katrin-greiling-design-bar-at-stockholm-furniture-fair-2011/

 

The beautiful Prada Store (sometimes nicknamed 'The Pineapple') was designed by Herzog and de Meuron and completed in 2003.

The intent of “Prada’s Tokyo ‘Epicenter’, in the fashionable Aoyama district . . . is to reshape both the concept and function of shopping, pleasure and communication, to encourage the meshing of consumption and culture.”

Interestingly Herzog says that “Tokyo is a city where not a single building relates to its neighbourhood, and every building fills its whole site. We took a chance in creating a little space outdoors, like in European cities. We also reversed the typical Japanese emphasis on looking inward by giving importance to the view.”

http://www.architravel.com/architravel/building/prada-store-epicenter/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fugutabetai/2202265575/

Thanks very much to Japanese photographer, Fugu Tabetai, for the use of his photograph.

Photographer, Ian Sutton, generously said we could use his photograph of the flamboyant Grand Lisboa, in Macau.  He said “It's actually meant to be a lotus flower, but perhaps it is more pineapple like? :)”

“Grand Lisboa (Chinese: 新葡京) is a 58-floor, 261-metre-tall hotel in Macau, designed by Hong Kong architects Dennis Lau and Ng Chun Man. Its casino and restaurants were opened on February 11, 2007, while the hotel was opened in December 2008. The casino offers 800 mass gaming tables and 1000 slot machines. The hotel contains 430 hotel rooms and suites. The Grand Lisboa is the tallest building in Macau and the 118thTallest Building in the World (by architectural structure).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Lisboa

Thanks alot Ian!

www.flickr.com/photos/31727028@N08/6296013920

Pineapples in the UK

Katrina and Tom’s London pineapple experience: “In the afternoon we went to Kew gardens. They had pineapples aplenty in amongst a food themed display with a large model pineapple in the middle of the boating pond. They call it ‘giant’ but I think Queensland would have trouble with their definition of big!  The glass houses, lilyponds and giant avenues where a good place to wander for the afternoon.” Thanks Kat!

 

And thanks Colleen, for these wonderful photos of pineapplesque sculptures at the 17th century Hatfield House in Hertfordshire,

 

and more modern pieces at Oxford.

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jamesahaigh has given us permission to use his atmospheric photograph of the amazing Dunsmore Pineapple in Scotland. He says “It is a very unusual building, and apparently was built during the Victorian times as the area was actually a pineapple grove (not sure if that’s the correct term) but they used to grow them there. It’s a shame it wasn’t a nicer day but it was in January and very very cold.”

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesahaigh/

Thanks Jurrassosaurus!

What wonderful names people have in cyberspace!

Jurrassosaurus has sent us a link to more information on the wonderful Scottish Pineapple.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/airth/thepineapple/index.html

A pineapple in Scotland!

Photographer Louise Bellin has given us permission to include her fabulous images of ‘The Pineapple' at Dunmore Park, near Airth in Scotland. I couldn’t decide which I liked more, so I’ve included both! She says that it was built as a garden retreat in 1761 by the Earl of Dunmore.

For more stunning views of Scotland taken by Louise have a look at http://www.flickriver.com/photos/tags/bellin/interesting/  A celebration of light! She made me want to head straight to the nearest international airport! And I’d love to stay in the Dunmore Pineapple as apparently it is available as holiday accommodation.

To join in the city’s Olympic Welcome, organisers of this year’s recent London Festival of Architecture looked at the symbolism of the pineapple for their “competitions and treasure hunts to see who can find and photograph the most pineapples” around the city. Have a look at http://www.secret-london.co.uk/Pineapples.html for some great examples of decoration.