Tuesday 8 June 2010

ABC Wednesday U for Umbrella


From Wikipedia:
An umbrella or parasol (also called a brolly, rainshade, sunshade, gamp or bumbershoot) is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The term parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun, and umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain. Often the difference is the material; some parasols are not waterproof. Parasols are often meant to be fixed to one point and often used with patio tables or other outdoor furniture. Umbrellas are almost exclusively hand-held portable devices; however, parasols can also be hand-held. Umbrellas can be held as fashion accessories.Umbrellas were already used in many ancient countries.



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A Terracotta Army carriage with an umbrella securely fixed to the side, from Qin Shihuang's tomb, c. 210 BCE.



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Indian fresco painting, c. 700


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A painting of Chancellor Pierre Séguier with a parasol hoisted above his head, by Charles Le Brun, 1670.



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Woman with a parasol, by Édouard Manet, 1881.


With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar or Here. This week we are looking for words beginning with U.
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32 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

I love the idea of bright umbrellas wil. Someone I know married on a very wet day last autumn and on the morning of her wedding her sister sewed roses all over a white umbrella for her to carry - she looked divine.
Thanks for you good wishes.

My name is Riet said...

Mooie plaatsjes Wil. De manet is mijn favoriet. De parapluie hebben we nu weer nodig. Het plenst hiet.
Fijne avond.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

the image on top is absolutely beautiful.
Happy Tuesday!

Sylvia K said...

They have been around for a long time, haven't they!! What a great and interesting post, as always, Wil! Love the pictures and the one at the top is breathtaking! Hope you have a wonderful week!

Sylvia

MaR said...

What exquisite umbrellas, lovely!!


U is for unoccupied

photowannabe said...

I had no idea umbrellas and parasols had been around for so long. I really want one of those flower umbrellas. Delightful.
Your header picture is stunning Wil.

Roger Owen Green said...

Great post as always, with great info and visuals.

But no Rihanna? :-)

On behalf of the ABC Wednesday team, thank you! - ROG

Jayne said...

It never occurred to me just how *old* the idea of umbrellas might be. Fascinating. :)

anthonynorth said...

Great umbrella post. What would we do without them?

Miss_Yves said...

Quelle belle collection artistique!

Amy said...

Delightful Wil! It makes sense that the umbrella would be "thought of" early on. Thanks for the unique history.

Kim, USA said...

In the Philippines, umbrella is the most common accessories to men,women, and children. When I came here in the US hubby don't like to carry an umbrella or use it. I love to wander around our yard with an umbrella specially when it is raining hard. It reminds me of my happy childhood, playing under the rain.^_^
ABC Wednesday~U

Roger Owen Green said...

Reader Will - Rihanna is a singer with a big hit single called Umbrella - just a little joke.

Mara said...

I could have known I would not be unique in chosing umbrella. I love the accompanying photos and images though.

Gerald (SK14) said...

Your umbrellas are far more interesting than mine.

jay said...

I think I'd like a parasol, except that I hate to carry things! I did use a silver coloured umbrella as a parasol once, and it worked very well indeed!

I love the terracotta carriage!

Rinkly Report said...

Umbrellas are humdrum but your treatment of the subject was anything but!

Tumblewords: said...

Ah, these are great! I've been looking for an umbrella hat - Great U!

Hildred said...

Answer me a question, prithee - why are the umbrella's always in the back of the car when you have to make a dash from the house to the garage when it's raining the proverbial cats and dogs.... Great post and wonderful pictures.

Vicki Lane said...

Wonderful pictures, Wil!

Do you know this rhyme by Charles, Lord Bowen?

The rain, it raineth on the just
And also on the unjust fella,
But chiefly on the just because
The unjust hath the just's umbrella.

Gayle said...

Wouldn't it be awesome to be on the high floor of a building and look down to see a group of those flower umbrellas! How pretty.

Stan Ski said...

You've turned an everyday item into a thing of beauty.

ChrisJ said...

Interesting about the umbrellas, but your banner at the top of the page is outstanding.

Kate said...

Totally delightful choices. Umbrellas are both utilitarian and objects of beauty, aren't they?

Indrani said...

That is a beautiful take on the alphabet 'U'.
Lovely shots of the paintings.

Unknown said...

The paintings are pretty and it has interesting story too. Thanks for sharing

http://shydub-simplehappylife.blogspot.com/2010/06/abc-wednesday-u-is-for.html

Patty said...

Love the flower umbrellas. Really like your new header.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

When I went to school in Borneo, we carried an unbrella to shield us from tropical sun and rain.

Vagabonde said...

Très joli post. J’aime beaucoup le tableau de Manet. Maintenant en France le parapluie est pour la pluie, le parasol est d’habitude assez grand, on le met dans le sable quand on va sur la plage, et l’ombrelle est un parasol portable, que les dames avaient surtout au temps jadis, contre le soleil pour garder leur teint blanc.
Je viens d’apprendre que le Tour de France 2010 va partir de Rotterdam cette année. Voici le lien: http://www.letour.fr/2010/TDF/COURSE/us/grand_depart_2010.html

Bradley Hsi said...

You have chosen some of the most representative images of umbrella, very well done.

Malyss said...

What a lovely post!

Miss_Yves said...

Merci de votre dernier passage et de votre dernier message, que malheureusement j'ai à peine lu car mes photos sur le défilé ont posé problème et j'ai enlevé toute la série.