As usual I'm putting up my Christmas decorations gradually. For this weekend (3rd Advent), I have added my angels and my Nativity scene. The glass angels with the electric candles in the living room; the rest in my study. The angels all came as gifts from friends on different occasions; the nativity set I bought myself many years ago. (Originally it was just the stable, the family and the three wise men. I've added the other pieces from different sources...)
See the little red wooden horse on the left? It is typical of the Swedish province Dalarna (and nowadays a well-known Swedish souvenir found in almost any tourist shop all over the country). This little one lives on that shelf in my study all year round, but gets to stay for Christmas as well. Partly because of its size; but also as a reminder that its province of origin is also famous for old illustrations of Biblical stories painted in a very special style. Like the one below, of "the three wise men on their way to Bethlehem", by Back Olof Andersson (1797). He and others who made paintings like these knew the Biblical stories from listening to them in church, but had never been to those far-away places themselves, and pictured things very differently in their head...
...Which may in turn serve as a reminder that how we in our time picture things from the past may perhaps not always be all correct either... ;-)
You know which one is my favourite of all your angels, don't you! And it is no secret that I love Dalarna horses :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, our mind has to rely on what it knows when trying to understand fictional or real events set in another time or even just in another place like ours. I am sure that I am unable to fully grasp the hardships single parents with a small income have to cope with in their daily lives, even if they life right next to me - or take the family in the attic flat above mine; they have fled their home country with nothing more than what they could carry plus two small children. They live "in my time and my place", but our lives have been and still are completely different.
N
DeleteMeike I'm not sure but I seem to vaguely recall that you may have said that your favourite is the same as my own - the porcelain one with the star, which I've had since early childhood. (All the others have come to me much later in life.)
You're quite right of course that we rely on our imagination for a lot of things in our own time and place as well. (I live surrounded by immigrant families, too.)
If it's the one that stands on the far left, near the plant pot, then we have the same favourite angel.
DeleteThat's the one, Meike :)
DeleteI have often wondered how things really looked. I am an avid old Western fan and sometimes I think it was like those movies but then I think I don't really know. the old photos just show unhappy people, no real photos of life because of how hard it was to take photos.
ReplyDeleteI love those angels and the tree, so beautiful and your home is glowing with JOY.. I can see it and feel it in the photos...
Thanks Sandra :)
DeleteBeautiful little tableaux. I like them all but the glass angels particularly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jabblog. Those glass angels + tree I received on different occasions as well, but they make a nice set together.
DeleteWhat a beautiful Christmas display and I love the story behind each piece - the glass tree and angels are lovely.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't given a thought to putting anything out yet, but will start with my candles and see what else I can find. The problem I have is that there are no windowsills inside the house - they are all on the outside! There are boxes of decorations stored away that I never use these days, so they really should go to a Charity shop.
My blue Dalarna horse sits on a shelf just above me as I type this!
Carol, the niched window sills I have in this flat are perfect for both flower pots and Christmas decorations :)
DeleteNever learned of Dalarna horses, so this old nag has been educated today. Love the candles in the window, as well as the nativity and the angels! So beautiful and well crafted.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara. I do love putting up my Advent/Christmas decorations this time of year, as a contrast to the darkness outside.
DeleteThe ;little red horses are so special, and I think exclusive to Sweden? Your decorations are a wonderful combination of both dark and light. so pretty! I would be tempted to leave them out all year!
ReplyDeleteGinny, the painted wooden horses do at least originate from Sweden (and that particular part of Sweden). --- For me, the Christmas decorations belong to this season and would feel all wrong (and too cluttered) if left out all year... They work their magic precisely because they are not there all the time!
DeleteYour approach to decorating for Christmas sounds wonderfully thoughtful and rich with personal history. The way you gradually add decorations and incorporate gifts from friends alongside pieces you've collected over the years creates a truly unique and meaningful holiday atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteI love the story behind the little red wooden horse from Dalarna. It's fascinating how such a small item can hold so much cultural and personal significance. The connection to the old Biblical illustrations from the same region adds an intriguing historical layer to your decorations.
Thanks Ro. Many of the decorations I put up every year are bearers of personal memories as well as general traditions, which is what makes them valuable to me :)
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