Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case EDUC 3

May Christmas Always Be To Thee

Greetings Card
late 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Christmas Day--25 December--was first declared a feast day by Constantine the Great in AD 325, but was not widely observed until the 19th century. Turkey was not introduced as the main part of the meal until the16th century. Up until that time, feasting meats such as boar and game fowl were most common among the classses who could afford them. Christmas pudding, like the Christmas tree, originated in Germany. The day's meal with family and friends, as depicted in this Christmas greetings card, remains central to the season's festivities.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMay Christmas Always Be To Thee (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Chromolithography on paper card
Brief description
Christmas card with feasting motif
Physical description
In a medieval setting, a butcher presents his wild game to a man and woman in the street.
Dimensions
  • Height: 11cm
  • Width: 15.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • May Christmas Always Be To Thee, A Time Of Mirth And Jollity (Inscription; decoration; English; designated heading in upper margin)
  • "The Turkeys, Madam, you see here, are tender, plump, and far from dear." (Inscription; decoration; English)
Subjects depicted
Summary
Christmas Day--25 December--was first declared a feast day by Constantine the Great in AD 325, but was not widely observed until the 19th century. Turkey was not introduced as the main part of the meal until the16th century. Up until that time, feasting meats such as boar and game fowl were most common among the classses who could afford them. Christmas pudding, like the Christmas tree, originated in Germany. The day's meal with family and friends, as depicted in this Christmas greetings card, remains central to the season's festivities.
Collection
Accession number
15780:37

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Record createdDecember 16, 2003
Record URL
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