A Christmas Cornucopia – some ideas for Christmas

Reindeer with a gold nose by Christopher Perry
http://www.thegoldsmithsdirectory.co.uk

I thought that it would be fun to share the following with you as the Festive Season approaches:

‘Fine Cell Work’s Handmade Turkey Decoration’
http://www.finecellwork.co.uk

I am sure that many of you have fond memories of helping to decorate the Christmas Tree at home each year, unwrapping the familiar decorations for their annual outing and perhaps tracing the history of some of them – my parents had some vintage tree decorations which had survived their many moves and reflected a part of their story. Here is a small selection of decorations that may appeal, either to be bought and treasured or given as gifts.

Holly ornament Noel 2014 in clear crystal, it is also available in red crystal
http://www.lalique.com

Some galleries mark this period with exhibitions of stock with an emphasis on the idea of them being appropriate as gifts, a fact reflected in their price range, and indeed such an item may well set the recipient off into the exciting world of collecting. Antiquities specialist Rupert Wace for example has a range of finds, including bronze Roman animal brooches while Sladmore Contemporary has suitable works by their gallery artists.

Enamelled bronze rabbit brooch
Gallo-Roman. c. 2nd century AD
Length: 2.3 cm
Provenance: UK collection
http://www.rupertwace.co.uk

That must visit bookshop for books on art, antiques and interiors Potterton Books are having an exhibition of prints by five British based artists, Angela Harding, Paul Catherall, Gail Brodholt, Beatrice Forshall and Alice Pattullo entitled The New Generation Printmakers. The Serpentine Gallery also offers a large range of ideas, including books and prints.

Gail Brodholt
‘ Snow in Suburbs’
(framed linocut)
http://www.pottertonbookslondon.com

Michael Craig-Martin
Map 2013
Courtesy Serpentine Galleries
serpentinegalleries.org

To encourage the artistic endeavours of the younger generation you may want to acquire one of these My Little Davinci frames in which you can store up to fifty artworks or photographs. Alternatively Cass Art London do a variety of painting and drawing sets ideal for the young artists in your family.

FABER-CASTELL CONNECTOR PENS SET OF 60 for children
http://www.cassart.co.uk/christmas_gifts/gifts_for_kids/gifts_for_7-12_years

DynamicFrames Davinci Art Gallery
http://www.mylittledavinci.co.uk

Da Vinci is a rather good link to tell you about Christmas at Windsor Castle where the State Rooms have been beautifully decorated for Christmas as this picture showing the State Dining Room proves. I am sure you need no further prompting from me to go and enjoy the wonderful artistic treasures housed within the Castle.

Windsor Castle
State Dining Room, the table set with silver-gilt, including items from the Grand Service commissioned by George IV and still used by The Queen and her guests at State Banquets today.
Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2014
http://www.royalcollection.org.uk

A trip to Kew Gardens is always a great delight and you may find their special Christmas at Kew evening openings fun. You are guided along the mile-long route by snowflakes and as you progress along you will encounter botanically inspired, large scale light installations that look like fireworks frozen in time, including luminous lilies of the valley and imposing thistles. They are the work of the French design studio TILT. It is a magical experience for young and old and you will also get to meet Father Christmas!

Echinodermus (TILT)
RBG Kew
http://www.kew.org

What more can you ask for?

Windsor Castle
State Dining Room, the table set with silver-gilt, including items from the Grand Service commissioned by George IV and still used by The Queen and her guests at State Banquets today.
Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2014
http://www.royalcollection.org.uk

“Snowflake” by award-winning British silversmith Shona Marsh
©Richard Valencia
http://www.shonamarsh.com