With Christmas Greetings (Fair Mistletoe)

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Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F

Artist/Maker	Marcus Ward & Co. (publisher)
Place of origin	England (made)

The tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe, the central theme of this Christmas greetings card, 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. Apart from encouraging peace and reconciliation, mistletoe was believed to have medicinal and healing properties.

Object details

Categories	Christmas Greeting Cards
Object type	Greetings card
Title	With Christmas Greetings (Fair Mistletoe) (generic title)
Materials and techniques	Chromolithograph on paper card Paper Chromolithography
Brief description	Christmas card bearing mistletoe motif
Physical description	Chromolithograph depicting a large sprig of mistletoe in the foreground. Behind it, a short poem is printed on an ornate ground in style of blue and gold mosaic.
Dimensions	Height: 12.8cm Width: 10.1cm
Marks and inscriptions	(Inscription; decoration; English) Fair Mistletoe!/ Lover's opportunity!/ What trees that grow/ Give such sweet/ Impunity! (Inscription; decoration; upper left corner) with (Inscription; decoration; right centre) Christmas Greetings (Inscription; decoration; English; lower fourth of composition)
Subjects depicted	Mistletoe Festivals Christmas
Summary	The tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe, the central theme of this Christmas greetings card, 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. Apart from encouraging peace and reconciliation, mistletoe was believed to have medicinal and healing properties.
Collection	Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number	29324:25

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Record created	November 21, 2003
Record URL	https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O86176/with-christmas-greetings-fair-mistletoe-greetings-card-marcus-ward/

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