Sprig Collection (#9)

Skating and sledging
Four people skating and sledging on the ice. early 20th century

A 1930s Christmas
Two modern aesthetes admire their one concession to Christmas decorations amid their pristine art deco home - a sprig of holly in a vase

Merry Christmas -- woman with holly and mistletoe. Heres a bowl of holly for you and a sprig of mistletoe, to make you gay on Christmas Day and light dear memorys glow. early 20th century

Thyme. Sprigs of flowering thyme (Thymus vulgaris) in a wooden bowl

Herbs in glasses. Clockwise from left: mint (Mentha sp.), bay leaves (Laurus nobilis) and rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)

Sprigs of thyme (Thymus sp.) on a wooden surface

Sage leaves (Salvia officinalis) on a wooden surface

Sprig of mint (Mentha spicata) on a wooden surface

Mint (Mentha sp. )
Mint (Mentha sp.) sprig with leaves

Thyme (Thymus sp.). This plant is a member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family and is native to europe, north Africa and Asia. It is used as a flavouring in cooking

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). This plant is a member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family and is native to southern Europe. Its leaves are used as a flavouring in cooking

Dill (Anethum graveolens). This plant is part of the parsley (Apiaceae) family and is native to Europe. It is used as a flavouring in cooking

Bloody Mary cocktails with sprigs of celery. This cocktail contains tomato juice, worcestershire sauce and vodka, a colourless alcoholic drink that is distilled from potatoes, barley, rye or malt

Elder (Sambucus nigra). The flowers and berries of this plant are used to make elderberry wine. The berries can also be used to make the alcoholic drink sambuca, and to make jam

Holly berries. The holly genus (Ilex) consists of more than 400 species, most of which are evergreen shrubs growing up to 15 metres, found in woodland throughout the world

Holly (Ilex aquifolium). Sprig of holly with berries and leaves on a wooden surface

Christmas Girl by Florence Hardy
A young girl dressed in an early Victorian style blue coat and bonnet walks through the snow carrying a sprig of holly

Walking through the snow by Ethel Parkinson
A woman wrapped up warmly in a fetching red cape and fur muff walks through the snow with her little daughter who holds a doll and looks excited to have found a festive sprig of holly

Izmir, Turkey - Vegetable Market
A Vegetable Market with vegetable sellers at Izmir (Smyrna), Turkey

Opportunity by William Heath Robinson
Sequential cartoon by William Heath Robinson showing a lady and man walking from opposite directions and deciding to throw caution to the wind when they spot a sprig of mistletoe clasped behind

Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
A Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) perched on a sprig of ivy. Painting by Malcolm Greensmith

Puppy and Mistletoe
A puppy holds a sprig of mistletoe in its mouth

Sprig of Mistletoe
a sprig of mistletoe

Holly on Pudding
While mama holds the pudding, her daughter crowns it with a sprig of holly

There was a little man, who had a little gun
The Little Man (who has no name) fires at Johnny Sprig and knocks his wig off

Garlic and rosemary
Garlic cloves and rosemary. Cloves of garlic (Allium sativum) and a sprig of fresh rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) on a wooden surface

Loudun - Grandier Accuse
The nuns of the convent of Saint-Ursule accuse Urbain Grandier of throwing a bewitched rose-sprig into their garden, causing them to be victims of his lust

There was a Little Man
There was a little man, and he had a little gun, And his bullets were made of lead; He shot John Sprig thro the middle of his wig

Girl at Stile in Snow
A country girl stands at a stile with a load of holly and a sprig of mistletoe

Study of a Tramp
A study of an old man, a tramp, with matted hair, a gypsy sprig pinned to his lapel and a couple of war medals pinned to his coat with a safety pin

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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.