The tradition of Globe de Mariée, or Marriage Dome, display pieces began in France in the 1800s, as a way for married couples to preserve their wedding souvenirs, as well as tell the story of their wedding and life together. It held the bride’s crown, or bridal tiara, made from fresh or wax orange blossoms. The bride & groom chose items for their personalized display such as mirrors, porcelain pieces, and ‘ormolu’ – gold plated cut-outs. Each had a special and personal meaning to them, a symbol that told the story of the couple. The number of small diamond-shaped mirrors represented the number of children the couple hoped for. Over the years special items were added, photographs, little locks of their babies’ hair, jewellery, more ormolu symbols. Each was carefully pinned to the velvet or silk cushion. During the height of their popularity in the Napoleon III era, there were many ready-made bases couples could pick from, then add their choice of gilded symbols, mirrors, porcelain flowers, and other gilt decorations. After the ormolu pieces were attached by the jeweller, the display piece was covered with a very fine hand blown glass dome.

Each symbol had a different meaning:
Bird - the symbol of love
Bird holding a laurel wreath - ‘As a bird makes its nest, so does the woman build her family’
Dove - peace in the home
Leaves - longevity of the Marriage Union
Ivy Leaves - commitment to each other
Lime Leaves - fidelity
Oak Leaves - strength and longevity of the couple
Chestnut Leaves - links to others
Fig Leaves - prosperity
Trees - love and strength
Orange Blossoms - virginity
Roses - eternal love
Daisies - purity and innocence
Four Leaf Clover - good fortune
Sheaves of Wheat - fertility and the resurrection of life
Cherries - protection against bad fortune
Clusters of Grapes - Prosperity
Each mirror also had meaning – the central mirror evoked the reflection of the soul, symbolising the truth. Rectangular mirrors were related to the number of years between the couple’s meeting and their marriage. The oval mirrors were good luck gifts offered by the bridesmaids. The number of small diamond-shaped mirrors represented the number of children the couple wished for whilst trapezoidal mirrors symbolised the perfect agreement.

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