Sprig Collection

Irish Guards Shamrock
The duke of Connaught presents Irish Guardsmen with a sprig of shamrock each

Owl and foxes carrying food on a Christmas card
An owl and three foxes carrying a roast bird, cutlery and holly through the snow on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Santa Claus proposing a toast on a Christmas postcard
Santa Claus proposing a toast on a Christmas and New Year postcard. Date: circa 1900s

Beaufort Castle, near Beauly, Inverness-shire, Scotland, with a Fraser tartan background. Date: circa 1905

Mistletoe sprigs
Mistletoe. Leaves and berries on sprigs of the European mistletoe (Viscum album). Mistletoe is a parasitic, evergreen shrub that can grow on a variety of trees, but is usually found on apple trees

PARTY / DARE HE? MISTLETOE
DARE HE ? A girl pauses beneath a mistletoe sprig, wondering if hes man enough to seize his chance... Date: 1920

Children with large pudding on a Christmas card
Children attacking a large pudding on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Portrait of young woman with dyed blue and green hair and nose piercing in nature

Lady with Mistletoe
Christmas greeting card design depicting a sprig of mistletoe behind a lady with a muff. Date: circa 1900

Adorable wild kingfisher with colorful plumage sitting on thin twig of plant with fish in beak against green background

Hooke's observations of cellular structure of cork (fig 1) and sprig of Sensible (Sensitive) plant (fig 2)
UIG541667 Hooke's observations of cellular structure of cork (fig 1) and sprig of Sensible (Sensitive) plant (fig 2) 1665 (engraving) by English School

Chrysame, Thessalian priestess and herbalist
Chrysame, Thessalian priestess of the goddess Enodia, famous for using poisonous herbs to defeat the Ionians at Erythrae, granting victory to Cnopus

Venus riding Capricorn in the ocean
Love goddess Venus of the Sea in lapis lazuli. She holds a sprig of myrtle and rides a sea goat representing Capricorn. Cupid follows with a whip keeping them on course. Dolphins in the oval frame

Egyptian gods Isis and Serapis facing each other
Heads of the Egyptian gods Isis and Serapis facing each other. Serapis, bearded Greaco-Egyptian sun deity wearing a modius or calato, a cylindrical crown decorated with vine leaves and rushes

A length of lace, c.1780-1800 (textile)
2966428 A length of lace, c.1780-1800 (textile) by European School, (18th century); (add.info.: A length of lace, possibly Valenciennes)

Fresh oregano leaves in air on white background

Höglwörther See, Anger, Bavaria, Germany

The Convalescent, 1888. Creator: Helene Schjerfbeck
The Convalescent, 1888

Hope, c1870s, (1900). Creator: Unknown
Hope, c1870s, (1900)

The Lapse of the Year - Spring, c1860s, (1900). Creator: Unknown
The Lapse of the Year - Spring, c1860s, (1900)

Untitled (w/c on paper)
TBM364051 Untitled (w/c on paper) by Japanese School; Brooklyn Museum, New York, USA; Photo © Brooklyn Museum; Designated Purchase Fund

Myrtle Wreath, from Peloponnesus, 330-250 BC (gold)
HST166801 Myrtle Wreath, from Peloponnesus, 330-250 BC (gold) by Greek School; 30.5x3.5 cm; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, USA; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston ; Gift of Miss Annette Finnigan

Spiraea aruncus (Tyrol), 1851-54. Creator: Anna Atkins
Spiraea aruncus (Tyrol), 1851-54. This botanical study is the first work by the British artist Anna Atkins

Seeker of nectar, 1940. Creator: Thelma Kent
Seeker of nectar, 1940

Still life with fruit, late 19th to early 20th century

Foster General Purpose Engine number: 14410, Sprig, regn UP 6481, at Derby on 8 July 1972. Date: 1972

A woodblock engraving depicting a sprig of Common hedgenettle
5310966 A woodblock engraving depicting a sprig of Common hedgenettle, a perennial grassland herb

A sprig of camellia sinensis
5312020 A sprig of camellia sinensis; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a sprig of camellia sinensis a species of evergreen shrub or small tree whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce tea)

Tea: Camellia sinensis. Sprig of tea bush. Hand-coloured engraving 1823
533361 Tea: Camellia sinensis. Sprig of tea bush. Hand-coloured engraving 1823.; (add.info.: Tea: Camellia sinensis. Sprig of tea bush. Hand-coloured engraving 1823.); Universal History Archive/UIG

A sprig of Oenothera Biennis
5312103 A sprig of Oenothera Biennis; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a sprig of Oenothera Biennis (Common Evening-Primrose). Dated 19th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Cherry sprig
Christina Sillen

A woodblock engraving depicting a sprig of Southernwood a species of flowering plants in the sunflower family
5310967 A woodblock engraving depicting a sprig of Southernwood a species of flowering plants in the sunflower family

A woodblock engraving depicting a sprig of Belladonna
5310965 A woodblock engraving depicting a sprig of Belladonna, a perennial herbaceous plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae, which includes tomatoes, potatoes, and aubergine

An engraving depicting a sprig of Iris
5311598 An engraving depicting a sprig of Iris, a genus of 260-300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1888); Universal History Archive/UIG

A collection of Victorian diamond brooches including a diamond and enamel swallow in flight
1766483 A collection of Victorian diamond brooches including a diamond and enamel swallow in flight, a diamond-emerald frog, a diamond-ruby stag's head, a pave-set fox mask

Costumes de Différents Pays, Noble de l'Isle de Java
Costumes de Differents Pays, Noble de l'Isle de Java, c1797

Sprig of wild roses, c.1800-c.1900. Creator: Antoinette Luden
Sprig of wild roses, c.1800-c.1900

Mangosteen, 1784. Creator: Jan Brandes
Mangosteen, 1784. Leaf, branch and tree of the Indonesian fruit Manggistan. With inscription. Part of Jan Brandes sketchbook, dl. 1 (1808), p. 164 and see also p. 163

A Sprig of Gooseberries on a Stone Plinth, 1699. Creator: Adriaen Coorte
A Sprig of Gooseberries on a Stone Plinth, 1699

Brooch with Sprigs at Top and Griffins with Trophies at Bottom, 1596

Blossom Child, 1902. Creator: Helen Hyde
Blossom Child, 1902

Blackberry Spring
Gemma Bardot

Wartime advert for Dolcis shoes, featuring a festive sprig of holly. Date: 1943

Girl Reading, 1878 (oil on canvas)
2967744 Girl Reading, 1878 (oil on canvas) by Perugini, Charles Edward (1839-1918); 98x73 cm; Manchester Art Gallery, UK; © Manchester Art Gallery

A woodblock engraving depicting a sprig of Mugwort
5310968 A woodblock engraving depicting a sprig of Mugwort, a species of aromatic plants in the genus Artemisia

Bremerton, Washington State, USA. Lavender sprig. Date: 15-07-2020

DDE-90029686
Bunches of fresh lavender for sale at the market in Saint Remy de-Provence France. Date: 26/03/2009

[Fresh green] Fresh green leaves branch with drops isolate on white background

Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Brindille; Sprig; Schoszling (engraving)
7195047 Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Brindille; Sprig; Schoszling (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Brindille; Sprig; Schoszling)

Flowers from Shakespeares Garden: Rosemary, 1906 (watercolour and pen and black ink)
827296 Flowers from Shakespeares Garden: Rosemary, 1906 (watercolour and pen and black ink) by Crane

This sprig of mistletoe I flaunt as flag of truce (engraving)
1622247 This sprig of mistletoe I flaunt as flag of truce (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: This sprig of mistletoe I flaunt as flag of truce)

Acacia Linifolia, 1813 (w / c & bodycolour over traces of graphite on vellum)
615572 Acacia Linifolia, 1813 (w/c & bodycolour over traces of graphite on vellum) by RedoutA©, Pierre-Joseph (1759-1840); 46.8x29.6 cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

Lady with basket on arm, Christmas Card (chromolitho)
731215 Lady with basket on arm, Christmas Card (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Lady with basket on arm)

Original Artwork - Holding mistletoe above two mice
Original Artwork - A little girl encouraging two amorous mice, by holding a sprig of mistletoe above their heads! Date: circa 1937

Original Artwork - Design for a novelty Christmas card - Invitation - sprig of mistletoe hanging over a comfy armchair Date: circa 1937

Christmas greetings card - Little girl brings in the pudding
Christmas greetings card - Little girl brings in the Christmas pudding, topped with a sprig of holly. Date: circa 1937

Original Artwork - Christmas thank you card design
Original Artwork - Design for a Christmas thank you card - teddy bear holding a green balloon and sprig of mistletoe. Date: circa 1937

Place marker - Little boy with mistletoe
Original Artwork - Design for a circular place marker, showing a young boy holding up a sprig of Christmas mistletoe against a star-filled background. Date: circa 1937

Greetings card design - Lending a hand. A little girl standing on a fold-out step to hang up the sprig of Christmas holly, whilst her pet black scottie dog stands attentively offering assistance

Young girl at Xmas
Young girl in a Santa robe holding a parcel and sprig of holly. Artist: Anon. Date: circa 1908

Wistful child
A wistful looking young child wearing green. A sprig of holly in the foreground. Artist: Frances Brundage Date: circa 1908

Three young girls
A group of three pretty young girls. A sprig of violets in the foreground. Artist: Frances Brundage Date: circa 1908

Girl with a garland
Pretty young girl in a pink dress with a garland of roses in her hair. A sprig of roses in the foreground. Artist: Frances Brundage Date: circa 1908

Girl in a turquoise bonnet
Pretty young girl in a white dress trimmed turquoise and matching bonnet. A sprig of daisies in the foreground. Artist: Frances Brundage Date: circa 1908

Girl in a yellow bonnet
Pretty young girl in a pale yellow dress and matching bonnet. A sprig of forget-me-nots in the foreground. Artist: Frances Brundage Date: circa 1908

Girl in a straw hat
Smiling young girl wearing an old straw hat. A sprig of periwinkles in the foreground. Artist: Frances Brundage Date: circa 1908

Fashionable women of the Directoire, 1797 (handcoloured copperplate engraving)
5986474 Fashionable women of the Directoire, 1797 (handcoloured copperplate engraving) by French School, (18th century); (add.info.: Fashionable women of the Directoire, 1797)

Portrait of Louisa Ruth Herbert, 1858-59 (oil on panel)
2831226 Portrait of Louisa Ruth Herbert, 1858-59 (oil on panel) by Rossetti, Dante Gabriel Charles (1828-82); Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

Santa Claus writing in a book on a Christmas postcard. Date: circa 1900s

Two sides of a cutout Christmas card -- a snowball with a sprig of holly (left), and a tabby kitten with mistletoe (right). Date: circa 1890s

Christmas card in the shape of a gift box -- to Elsie. Date: circa 1890s

Dwarf cherry blossom
A sprig of wild cherry blossom(Prunus Cerasus), depicting the fruit and leaves. Date: 1869

Wild cherry blossom
A sprig of wild cherry blossom(Prunus Avium), depicting the fruit and stone. Date: 1869

1930 greetings card
Lady dressed in a crinoline with a brolly and a sprig of holly. Date: 1930s

Fruit on a Dish, Flowers in a Wanli Kraak Porselein Vase
659302 Fruit on a Dish, Flowers in a Wanli Kraak Porselein Vase, Sprigs of Cherries and Redcurrants, Seashells, a Rose, a Tulip, a Pink, a Lizard, a Snail and a Red Admiral on a Stone Ledge

A Joyful Christmas to you - Victorian Christmas card (chromolitho)
731688 A Joyful Christmas to you - Victorian Christmas card (chromolitho) by English School

A silk panel depicting vases with cherry blossoms, magnolia and orchids
1764971 A silk panel depicting vases with cherry blossoms, magnolia and orchids and a jardinere with roses amid sprigs of lotus

Mother and children walking in the snow, Christmas Card (chromolitho)
731221 Mother and children walking in the snow, Christmas Card (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mother and children, walking in the snow)

GIrl holding bunch of holly, New Year Card (chromolitho)
731366 GIrl holding bunch of holly, New Year Card (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Girl holding bunch of holly)

Sprig (engraving)
2801365 Sprig (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sprig)

Portrait of a Lady, c. 1490 (tempera & oil on panel)
CLK340003 Portrait of a Lady, c.1490 (tempera & oil on panel) by Ghirlandaio, Domenico (Domenico Bigordi) (1449-94); 56.1x37.7 cm; Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown

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EDITORS COMMENTS

"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.