Shine On Harvest Moon
by habituallychic
09 . 19 . 13
The full moon overnight Wednesday into Thursday is the Harvest Moon, which is the full moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox. Folklore called it the Harvest Moon since so many crops would be harvested around this time. That got me thinking about wheat which is a symbol of bountiful harvest and prosperity. Even though everyone in America seems to be gluten free and not actually eating wheat, that doesn’t mean you can’t decorate with it.
The French have been displaying dried wheat and gold wheat sheaf tables in their homes for decades. Wheat can be found through out the rooms of Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent among others. Chanel made wheat “her lucky charm, a symbol of creativity that never ends.”
When I working on my post of French jewelry designer Aurelie Bidermann, I remembered seeing dried wheat on her moodboard. She took a step further and used as a motif in an entire collection, Le Blé, which is the French word for wheat. I am definitely planning on buying her wheat ring and maybe even a bracelet. Until then, I will make due with the dried stalks of wheat I bought on eBay. When it comes to fostering creativity and prosperity, I will always let Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent lead my way.
Shine on, shine on harvest moon
Up in the sky,
I ain’t had no lovin’
Since January, February, June or July
Sno Time ain’t no time to stay
Outdoors and spoon,
So shine one, shine on harvest noon
For me and my gal.
– By Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth, 1903
Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment with dried wheat and gold wheat sheaf table.
Wheat in Chanel’s apartment.
Another ols photo of Coco Chanel’s apartment on rue Cambon.
Sheaf of wheat cocktail table from 1stdibs.
Singer Lily Allen wearing Chanel wheat motif jewelry in her hair.
Wheat brooch from Chanel.
Another gold wheat sheaf table in the home of Yves Saint Laurent.
Dried wheat was in every room of Yves Saint Laurent’s homes.
Writer Candace Bushnell has gold wheat sheaf scones in her apartment.
I’m loving these Italian gold wheat sheaf chairs from 1stdibs.
Gold wheat sheaf dining table in the Chicago home of designer Lauren Gold from Lonny. I’m putting this on my wish list. There isn’t even one on 1stdibs right now.
Wheat on the moodboard of French jewelry designer Aurelie Bidermann.
Top Image from Canadian House & Home
10 Comments
As a big fan and a fellow Ancient I need to share with you that it is a sheaf of wheat. I am always impressed with your perfectly beautiful writing, so I somehow felt the need to share this with you. Perhaps it is all due to spellcheck run amok!
Sincerely,
Your Very Impressed Fan Cornelia 🙂
Hmmmm—And I’ve been hiding my gold wheat sheaf table in the guest bedroom…….
Thanks for the inspiration!!
Mary
According to “The dictionary of flowers” wheat actually means “prosperity”. Vanessa Diffenbaugh used it(the dictionary that is) in her book “The language of flowers”; I looked it up because I have also noticed wheat in the pictures of the homes of YSL and Madame Chanel.
Cornelia, if you follow the links to 1stdibs, I used the word sheath as it was used by the vendors. Both sheaf and sheath are used and correct.
Mary – or I can take it off your hands for you 😉
narlivetgerdigcitroner – thank you for confirming that wheat means prosperity. Perhaps you glanced over where I also mentioned it.
Same here Mary, You cannot imagine how many fields of wheat I have seen in my lifetime.
Now in this Very Cosmopolitan Kansas City (and I am being serious) I am loving all of the tables and jewels! Thanks Heather!
xoxo
Karena
2013 Artist Series!
adore wheat + once did a table with wheat bundles + hmmmm. thanks xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
This is why you are one of the best blogs out there–such an elegant and sophisticated post!
This is so interesting – I had no idea a staple like wheat was so symbolic and popular among some fabulous tastemakers. Thanks for sharing!