What are you getting your true love for Christmas? Here’s some gift idea inspiration from the classic Twelve Days of Christmas song:
1. A Partridge in a Pear Tree
A Partridge in a Pear Tree (wood engraving), Sarah Van Nierkerk, (b.1934) / Private Collection
2. Turtle Doves
The Turtle Doves, early 20th century Valentine card / Private Collection
Turtle doves stay with their partner for a lifetime and hence symbolise true love and loyalty – the perfect gift for your significant other.
3. French Hens
Paris, Eiffiel Tower with Three French Hens, 2014 (oil on canvas/digital collage), Kimberley McSparran
Ooh la la! This image would look great on a postcard or cover of a notebook.
4. Calling Birds
Close-up of four goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) / Private Collection / De Agostini Picture Library
What better way to wake up in the morning then to the delightful sound of birdsong? Perhaps receiving a gorgeous bird-print pillowcase would help to brighten up the day.
5. Golden Rings
Portrait of a Gentleman with a Lion Paw, by Lorenzo Lotto, 1525, 16th Century, oil on canvas, Lorenzo Lotto / Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria / Mondadori Portfolio/Electa
If you like it then you should’ve put a ring on it…
6. Geese a Laying
Six Geese A-Laying, Ditz (Contemporary Artist) / Private Collection
7. Swans a Swimming
Swan Lake, Mariinsky Theatre, 1895 (b/w photo), Russian Photographer, (19th century) / Private Collection
The winter season is always full of incredible events and shows, including the classic Swan Lake ballet. This famous performance was fashioned from Russian folk tales and tells the story of a princess transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse.
Although it is presented in numerous different versions, most ballet companies base their stagings both choreographically and musically on the 1895 revival (shown above), first staged for the Imperial Ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.
8. Maids a Milking
Manda Lametrie, The Farm Maid, 1887 (oil on canvas), Alfred Roll (1846-1919) / Musee d’Orsay, Paris, France
Pastoral scenes are key to helping you relax over the Christmas holiday.
9. Ladies Dancing
Dance / Bridgeman Footage
Check out our montage of the very best movers and shakers in the archive, from vintage jazz shows to break-dancing and everything in between.
10. Lords a Leaping
The First Leap: Lord Alexander Russell on his pony ‘Emerald’, 1829 (oil on millboard), Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-73) / © Guildhall Art Gallery, City of London
11. Pipers Piping
He Who Pays the Piper Calls the Tune, John Hayes (fl.1897-1902) / Private Collection / Photo © Bonhams, London, UK
12. Drummers Drumming
Janissaries and the parade musicians arriving, from ‘Sur-Nama’ (vellum), Turkish School, (16th century) / Private Collection
Drums may not be the best idea for that Boxing Day hangover, but an old exotic print could be music to the ears!
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