Pennsylvania Dutch Hex 14

by Hanne Lore Koehler

Title

Pennsylvania Dutch Hex 14

Artist

Hanne Lore Koehler

Medium

Painting - Acrylic + Digital

Description

Important to the culture and traditions of the German settlers that created their new home in America and Canada in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were the folk art style designs referred to as hex signs. The Pennsylvania Dutch decorated their farmhouses inside and out with these hand-painted geometric designs, painting them on many household items, above doorways and on their barns. The elements that make up the designs all had special meanings from the individual colors and patterns to the birds or �Distelfinks�, hearts, leaves and stars. It was their belief that these designs would bring blessings and good fortune to the home and family in the form of good luck, fertility, love, happiness, good health and many other desirable wishes. Today Dutch Hex Signs are enjoyed by people around the world who hang them on their sheds, homes, barns and garages, above doorways, in workshops, and many other locations.

In the 1980's, my dad, Otto Werner (1923 - 1991) was commissioned to design and paint a series of 24 panels to be mounted as part of the Waterloo Ontario Heritage TIME TELLER GAZEBO that illustrated some of the Pennsylvania Dutch Hex designs featured on many of the old Mennonite barns in the region. Each of these unique hex designs was incorporated into the gazebo design directly under the eaves. Shown here is the rosette and star design. The center rosette, a symbol of good luck in Mennonite culture, is contained in a circle of stars that symbolize good will to all. This is one of the 24 Mennonite barn folk art hex designs of the TIME TELLER GAZEBO which is now being offered as reproduction canvas, acrylic and art prints - an excellent addition to your country or contemporary kitchen decor! Add warmth and that homey feeling to your cafe, deli or restaurant with a collection of these favorite folk art designs!

Thank you to the hosts of the following groups for the honor of featuring my painting! I appreciate your kind support and promotion!

Mandala Rose

Uploaded

March 10th, 2015

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