Sprig Collection (#4)

Black and white illustration of jar of mayonnaise and herbs

Christmas card in the shape of a pudding
Christmas card in the shape of a round Christmas pudding with a smiling face on a blue patterned plate. A sprig of holly sits on top. Date: circa 1890s

Children carrying holly and mistletoe
Two small children wandering through the snow carrying huge sprigs of holly and mistletoe. c.1920

Couple - Bobo Tribe, Senegal
A rather remarkable photograph of a couple of the Bobo Tribe from Bobo-Dioulasso in Senegal, West Africa. The ladys modesty is protected for this picture by a rather inventive shubbery-based

Jack and Jill by Florence Hardy
Two children dressed in clown and Pierrot costumes, play in the snow with a sledge. The little girl, wearing neck ruff and holding a muff to keep her hands warm waves a sprig of holly in the air

European Dewberry (Rubus caesius) Sprig of flower and flower buds and details of fruit and flowers. Close relative of the Blackberry, Dewberries are common across the Northern Hemisphere

Tarragon on white background, close-up

Sprig of Flowering Almond Blossom in a Glass, 1888. Artist: Vincent van Gogh
Sprig of Flowering Almond Blossom in a Glass, 1888. From the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Holly for sale in Covent Garden
Masses of holly for sale at Covent Garden flower market in 1903. Date: 1903

Christmas card in the shape of a boxing glove (open), with a turkey and a pudding having a fight. (2 of 2) Date: circa 1890s

Christmas card in the shape of a chef holding a pudding on a plate. Date: circa 1890s

Christmas card in the shape of a jockeys cap
Christmas card in the shape of a pink and green jockeys cap decorated with lilies of the valley. Date: circa 1890s

Robins perched on a pile of logs on a cutout New Year card
Three robins perched on a pile of logs on a cutout New Year card. Date: circa 1890s

Little boy on a circular Christmas card
Little boy with dog on a circular Christmas card in the shape of a plate, with a sprig of mistletoe. Date: circa 1890s

Holly and fern on a Victorian Christmas scrap. Date: circa 1890s

Father Christmas with holly on a Victorian scrap
Father Christmas with a sprig of holly on a Victorian scrap. Date: circa 1890s

Woman with holly and present on a Victorian Christmas scrap
Woman with holly and a present on a Victorian Christmas scrap. Date: circa 1890s

Angel with basket of flowers on a Victorian Christmas scrap
Angel with a basket of pink flowers and a sprig of holly on a Victorian Christmas scrap. circa 1890s

Boy, girl and clown on three Victorian Christmas scraps
Boy with holly, girl with pudding and clown with cigar on three Victorian Christmas scraps. Date: circa 1890s

Girl with holly on a Victorian Christmas scrap
Girl with a basket of holly on a Victorian Christmas scrap. Date: circa 1890s

Little girl with holly on a Christmas card
Little girl in the snow with holly on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Flowers and fruit on a circular Christmas card. circa 1890s

Medaeval Christmas
Medaeval couple being offered a sprig of mistletoe in a winter scene. Date: 1902

Young girl on a sledge
Young girl with a sprig of holly speeding downhill on a sledge with a bunny rabbit. Date: circa 1912

Fashionable lady with holly
Fashionable lady posing in her fur wrap and feathered hat, holding a sprig of holly. Date: circa 1925

Christmas card, Girl carrying Christmas pudding. 20th century

Beetle with holly on a Christmas card
Beetle with holly in the snow on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Girl in the snow on a New Year card with a decorative lacy border. Date: circa 1890s

Mistletoe on a Christmas card, with a seasonal verse. Date: circa 1890s

Pudding in flames on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Spray of holly on a Christmas card, with star and seasonal poem. Date: circa 1890s

Desmoulins / Greatbatch
CAMILLE DESMOULINS French revolutionary Date: 1760 - 1794

Christmas card with holly in the middle of a maze, and a moralising verse. Date: circa 1890s

Geese with a handcart
Geese with a puppy dog pulling a handcart carrying a Dutch doll, toy soldier and a large sprig of holly. Artist: Florence Hardy Date: circa 1925

Music cover, A Glorious Sprig of Shamrock for your Coat, written by Albert Hall, composed by C W Murphy, sung by Michael Nolan. 1900

Boy & girl in snowy scene
Boy and girl in snowy scene with a sprig of holly. Artist: Ethel Parkinson Date: 1907

Young lady in a winter scene
Attractive woman with a muff walking through woodland and gathering a sprig of mistletoe. Artist: Ethel Parkinson Date: 1906

Girl with a brolly
Young girl in white under a black umbrella with a sprig of holly. Artist: Ethel Parkinson Date: 1905

Girl on a log with holly
Girl sitting on a log with a sprig of holly. From Merry Winter series of postcards published by Raphael Tuck.Date: 1908

Father Christmas and pudding on a Christmas card, with two poems: The Collector, and The Pudding That Cut Away. Date: circa 1890s

Little dog with sandwich board on a Christmas card
Little dog with a sandwich board in the snow on a Christmas card, with a seasonal verse. Date: circa 1890s

Boy with holly on a New Year card
Boy with holly, dancing in the snow on a New Year card, with a decorative gold and white border. Date: circa 1890s

White flowers on a circular New Year card. Date: circa 1890s

Little girl on a circular Christmas and New Year card
Little girl with food on a circular Christmas and New Year card, with a sprig of holly. circa 1890s

Holly and mistletoe on a circular Christmas card
Holly and mistletoe on a blue patterned plate on a circular Christmas card. circa 1890s

Boy and girl with mistletoe on a circular Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Spray of holly on a New Year card, with a seasonal verse. Date: circa 1890s

Holly and mistletoe arrangement on a Christmas card
Holly and mistletoe arrangement in a glass vase on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

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"Sprig: A Symbol of Festive Traditions and Joy" The sprig, a small but significant element in various holiday scenes throughout history, holds deep symbolism and adds charm to our celebrations. From the Irish Guards Shamrock to the owl and foxes carrying food on a Christmas card, these sprigs evoke warmth and merriment. In times gone by, Santa Claus himself would propose a toast on a Christmas postcard adorned with mistletoe sprigs. The daring question arises - will he dare to kiss under the PARTY / DARE HE? MISTLETOE? During wartime in 1943, even amidst hardship, Dolcis shoes advertised their festive spirit with an image featuring a sprig of holly. This reminder of hope brought comfort during challenging times. Ethel Parkinson's painting "Girl Reading" from 1878 captures the innocence and tranquility of the season as she sits among delicate sprigs that adorn her surroundings. These simple elements remind us of the beauty found in quiet moments. Victorian Christmas scraps often featured holly as well - its vibrant green leaves contrasting against red berries symbolized good luck and protection against evil spirits. Combined with horseshoes on cutout cards, they wished recipients blessings for both home and journey. Lastly, children joyfully gathered around large puddings on another vintage Christmas card while holding onto their cherished traditions. Sprigs of holly added an extra touch of cheer to this delightful scene. Through history's artistry and customs, we see how these humble sprigs have woven themselves into our festivities - reminding us to cherish loved ones, embrace joyous moments together, and find solace in tradition during this special time of year.