May Christmas Bring Delight
Greetings Card
second half 19th century (made)
second half 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe originates in an old Norse practice of warring enemies calling truce under mistletoe, sealing their pledge with a kiss. The kiss symbolised an exchange of souls. As well as encouraging peace and reconciliation, mistletoe was believed to have medicinal and healing properties.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | May Christmas Bring Delight (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Chromolithograph on paper card |
| Brief description | Christmas card with mistletoe motif |
| Physical description | Chromolithograph depicting two elfin figures, one wearing a blue bobble hat, engaged in a kiss. The joy and merriment suggested in the inscription 'May Christmas Bring Delight' is incorporated into the design: each of the small figures appears to be lalternately floating above and supported by the oversized sprigs of mistletoe. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe originates in an old Norse practice of warring enemies calling truce under mistletoe, sealing their pledge with a kiss. The kiss symbolised an exchange of souls. As well as encouraging peace and reconciliation, mistletoe was believed to have medicinal and healing properties. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.668-1981 |
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| Record created | November 21, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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