Lunde and Bø, Telemark, Norway, 2009
Linen on linen; Embroidered by Helga Fahre Bergland, Firfletting fringes made by Torhild Aavik
Vesterheim 2010.007.001 – Gift of Mary B. Kelly in memory of Florence S. Berger
On this high seat cloth, a large goddess holds up two hooked rhombic symbols of fertility. At each side are “trees of life,” full of birds. Below her, smaller goddesses hold red carnations, symbols of carnal love. “Fertile field” motifs border the scene. The date, 1792, and the initials of the bride and groom are embroidered below her.
Helga Fahre Bergland and Torhild Aavik made this careful reproduction of an old cloth in the collection of Norsk Folkemuseum, Oslo, Norway. The original (NF. 2001-0006B) was made in 1792 by Bergit Augundsdatter Håtveit for use at her wedding to Hans Hanson Askildt the next year. Bergit and Hans lived on the Askildt farm near Bø, East Telemark. They had five children. Three of their grandchildren immigrated to America and settled in the Pacific Northwest.
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