1881 Christmas In Canada

by Mel Crawford

Title

1881 Christmas In Canada

Artist

Mel Crawford

Medium

Painting - Mixed Media On Cold Press Illustration Board

Description

The most widespread, and to children the most delightful, of all festive decorations is the Christmas tree. In nineteenth century Canada, the rapid spread in the Christmas tree's popularity gave rise to a new industry -- ornament making. The first commercial decorations were made of tin, usually in geometric designs with multifaceted surfaces that reflected the candlelight. A variety of candleholders were also contrived to support these traditional sources of light. Popular for many years was a tin clip-on style ornament with a crimped skirt encircling the candle base to catch the dripping wax. Wax figurines, cast by German toymakers, were popular throughout the latter half of the nineteenth century. Starting in the 1840s, glass ornaments, hand-blown in Germany, were imported to Canada. At first, they were only round and thick-walled, but a method was later perfectedfor making thin, fragile balls. In the latter half of the nineteenth century, colored paper ornaments were common, some printed with as many as twenty different colors. During this same period, embossed cardboard ornaments were made in every conceivable shape and had an astonishing amount of detail. Of course, no Christmas tree in nineteenth century Canada was complete without its edible ornaments such as red apples, cookies, and garlands of popcorn and cranberries.

Please note the "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on the painting or any print reproduction.

Artwork Copyright © 1981 Wind River Studios Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the Copyright. WRSH Stock Number XB06192

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April 24th, 2022

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