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| This Twelve Days book is beautifully illustrated by Louise Brierly |
I FIRST designed a tree several years back with a Twelve Days of Christmas theme around a set of beautiful figural ornaments I have cherished for many years. But I never photographed any of it properly for the blog. This year, as a special celebration, I'm posting an image every day, starting today and for all twelve days.
IT'S A BAKER'S DOZEN of posts that illustrate how I form my thoughts in designing a tree, both thematically and conceptually, with each day's photo revealing some of the decorative elements involved in composing it.
THE TWELVE DAYS of Christmas is a time-honored carol. Although the specific provenance of the song is not known, the twelve days it touts, between the birth of Christ (Christmas, December 25th) and the coming of the Magi (Epiphany, January 6th), form its structure. With this in mind, I never remove any Christmas decorations until all twelve days are up!
THIS BEAUTIFULLY EVOCATIVE carol possibly began as a Twelfth Night "memory-and-forfeits" game in which the leader recited a verse, and each of the players repeated the verse. As each verse was added, the game continued until one of the players made a mistake. The player who erred had to pay a penalty, such as a offering up a kiss or a sweet. This is how the song was published in its earliest known printed version, in the 1780 children's book Mirth Without Mischief. The song is apparently much older, but it is not currently known how much older. It is generally thought to have been written in the Middle Ages. No matter, the song is beloved, even today.
THE BOOK in the photo above was published in the mid-eighties as a first American Edition. It is one of my all-time-favorites. Its illustrations are brilliantly rendered by Louise Brierley. Their subtle colors and stylized figures provide a rich visual reference that has always seemed as evocative to me as the song's much-interpreted lyrics. This book is the basis of my inspiration for the tree to come.
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| On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . |
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| On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . |
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| On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . |
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Three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a Pear tree.
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On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .
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Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a Pear tree. Ornament by Patience Brewster.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .
Five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .
Six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens,
two turtle doves and a partridge in a Pear tree. Ornament by Patience Brewster
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds,
three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a Pear tree.
Ornament by Patience Brewster
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .
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Eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a Pear tree.
Ornament by Patience Brewster.
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .
Nine drummers drumming, eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a Pear tree.
Ornament by Patience Brewster.
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .
Ten pipers piping, nine drummers drumming, eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a Pear tree.
Ornament by Patience Brewster.
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .
Eleven ladies dancing, ten pipers piping, nine drummers drumming,
eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens,
two turtle doves and a partridge in a Pear tree.
Ornament by Patience Brewster.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .
Twelve lords a-leaping, eleven ladies dancing, ten pipers piping,
nine drummers drumming, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens,
two turtle doves and a partridge in a Pear tree.
Ornament by Patience Brewster.
©2015-2016 DARRYL MOLAND | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
collecting, photography and styling by Darryl Moland
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I am loving your 12 days of Christmas by Patience Brewster. I decorate for Christmas just using 12 days of christmas decorations. I wondered why I had not bought the Patience Brewster set when I saw the last four ornaments are in a different sequence than I am used to. Do you know why the last four ornaments are different in some collections?
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