Fairy Figurines: Butterfly Fairies, Flower Fairy, Collectibles And Ornaments

No one knows whether fairies are truly demoted angels, enchantingly malicious pickpockets, magical winged ghosts, or goddesses of the night sky and underworld. The range of hypotheses and imaginative conceptions, dating at least to the medieval era, has given birth to an entire genre of artistic representation. Lofty literary works including “The Faerie Queen,” “Peter Pan,” and “Midsummer's Night Dream” have immortalized the fairy race in Western culture.

Meanwhile, popular artists of fairy figurines have brought this mythic fantasy of beauty, mischief, and immortality into the home.

The enchanting delicacy of popular fairy figurines has captivated the affections of little girls around the world. Many a pink, frilly bedroom has been overtaken by this whimsical motif. However, daughters are not the only ones who find themselves entranced in front of a display of fairy figurines in the aisle of the local collectibles shop. Kitchen shelves, dresser tops, guest bathrooms, and glass cases are quickly infested with the sprites, and there is nothing to be done about it!

The craving for fairy figurines can be compounded when the addict discovers a favorite collection. Popular fairy collectibles to look for include those by Faerie Glen, Sheila Wok, Jessica Galbreth, Amy Brown, and Jodie Bergsma. Cicely Mary Barker, the creator of the flower fairy world, is one of the most famous names in the business. Using her expertise regarding flora and fauna and dozens of children to model for her, this early 20th century artist illustrated seven volumes of poems about an imaginary flower fairy kingdom. Now Barker's creations have been lifted from the page into three-dimensional fairy figurines, and the strawberry and lavender and holly fairies (among others) are for sale for under $15 on websites including eFairies.com.

Butterfly fairies are another fanciful genre of popular fairy figurines. A rose-winged mother with child, a monarch infant, and a nostalgic butterfly fairy Thinking of You can be found at Countrygiftcottage.com. Offbeat fairy figurines can be fun for collectors with a sense of humor. Fat fairy ornaments can cause giggles around the Christmas tree, fairy divas dish out the attitude and edgy fashion sense, and cat fairy figurines are as adorable as they are silly. Outdoor fairy figurines, birdfeeders, garden stakes or courtyard fountains will grace any garden, while fairy ornaments add appeal to otherwise plain wind chimes. Back indoors, fairy nightlights and scented oil warmers glow of the enchanting motif that sparkles in many special homes.

It's a temptation for all collectors, but cluttered arrangements fail to accentuate the beauty of fairy figurines. The best way to display fairy collectibles, whether porcelain or pewter, glass or hand painted, is with taste and moderation. The eye should be drawn to décor, not overwhelmed by it. With this in mind, open the door to these beautiful miniature works of art. Whatever their style, personality or origin, the presence of fairy figurines will no doubt add a decorative and mystical element to any room of the house.


Sources:
Butterfly Fairies. Country Gift Cottage. 23 April 2007. 21 May 2007. http://www.countrygiftcottage.com/butterfly_fairie s1.htm.
Collectibles: Flower Fairies. E-fairies.com. 2002-2006. 22 May 2007. http://www.efairies.com/collectables_flower_fairie s.htm.
“Fairy.” Wikipedia. 18 May 2007. 21 May 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairies.
Fairy Figurines. Home N' Gifts. 2004-2006. Wollitz Online Enterprises. 21 May 2007. http://fairy-figurines.home-n-gifts.com.
Flower Fairies. The San Francisco Music Box Company. 2006. Catapult. 21 May 2007. http://www.sfmusicbox.com/results.asp?PID=1&MG ID=1633&cm_mmc=Paid_Search-_-Yahoo-_-flower_fa />Katherine's Dancing Ballerina and Fairy Ornaments. Laraines.com. 21 May 2007. http://www.laraines.com/kadaor.html.
Lacy Lady's Collectibles Shop. 2007. 22 May 2007. http://www.laceylady.com/index.shtml.
Ortakales, Denise.” Cicely M. Barker.” Children's Book Illustrators. 1999-2002. Denise Ortkales. 21 May 2007. http://www.ortakales.com/illustrators/Barker.html.