The History of French Globes de Mariee

French globes de mariee (marriage domes) date back to the 19th century and were used to protect delicate couronnes (marriage crowns or coronets) and display them in pride of place.

Glass domes have been popular in France since the early 19th Century and originally housed precious objects such as clocks, religious icons and other souvenirs. From the 1850s they started to be used as globes de mariee and by the late 19th century were the height of fashion and could be bought in a variety of styles. Globes de mariee were a considerable investment as part of a bride’s trousseau but stayed with the couple in pride of place in their home for the rest of their lives. Most globes de mariee date from before the First World War, when the war and subsequent economic crisis of the 1920s meant the fashion for them sadly faded.

Globes are made up of various components, including the glass dome itself, supported on a wooden base, often painted black. The marriage crown normally rests on a padded cushion, often buttoned and covered in red velvet or silk. Within the globe are decorative elements made from brass, mirrors and porcelain flowers, each with their own symbolism

The glass dome and contents are found in several different shapes and styles including:

• the Vénitienne (a classic oval glass dome)

• the favorite (a rectangular glass box)

• the coffret (a wooden box with an angled glass front)

• the panier peluche (with a plush basket shaped cushion)

• the psyche (with an upright cushion)

Marriage crowns themselves also changed fashion with time and between different areas of France. In Brittany, brides in the 18th century often wore a metal crown, followed in the late 18th century by a fashion for shell wreaths. From the 1850s onwards, bridal wreaths began to be more standardised and generally were made of wax flowers and orange buds, which symbolised innocence and purity. Pearl wreaths were a symbol of creative femininity and were often used for remarriage.

In the painting L'ennui (Boredom) by English post-impressionist Walter Sickert, the artist shows a wife looking wistfully at her globe de mariee, possibly symbolising her unfulfilled hopes and dreams.