A Miniature Swedish Julbord
Miniature pewter tankards for Christmas punch. Pewter, an alloy of tin and lead, was readily available and affordable. Tankards had lids to keep insects and debris from falling into the beverage inside.
The old English word “wassail” comes from the old norse “ves heil,” meaning good health or to be whole. The Vikings inhabited the British continent during the Middle Ages, so drinking customs were an interesting blend of traditions. The pagan feast of Jul, or Jòl in Old Norse, was celebrated throughout Scandinavia and involved consuming large quantities of ale.
By 1910 in Carl Larsson’s Sweden, the punch bowl probably contained glögg, a hot mulled wine with spices and fruit.
An interpretation of Carl Larsson’s house in 1:12 scale miniature, previously on display at the American Swedish Institute and the Jacques Art Center in Minnesota.
For the next post in the series, click here — Dolls
Photos by Karen Nyenhuis