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Stave Churches
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Norway's unique stave churches are among the oldest wooden buildings on earth. The architecture is a mix between the Viking Age and the 11th century early Christian era. Norway is the only country in Northern Europe which had wooden churches in the Middle Ages. At at one point there was at least 750 stave churches in Norway, today only 29 remains.
Many different types of stave church have been built but they have one shared feature in that all have stave walls. The most common type is a simple, relatively small building with a nave and a narrow chancel.
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Urnes stave church
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The stave churches are constructions of high quality, richly decorated with carvings. In virtually all of them the door frames are decorated from top to bottom with carvings.
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This tradition of rich ornamentation appears to go back to the animal carvings of the Viking age.
The dragons are lovingly executed and transformed into long-limbed creatures of fantasy, here and there entwined with tendrils of vine, with winding stems and serrated leaves.
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Every stave church has its own unique charm and atmosphere, and if the outside looks simple and sparsely decorated, there are always rich decorations to be found inside. Norway's oldest stave church is Urnes. It is built early in the 1100īs, and is on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
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Wood carvings
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A distinctive type of wood carving called chip-carving has rich traditions in Norway. This type of ornamentation is recognizable by its geometric patterns made with the help of compass and ruler. Many variations within this framework were possible and produced an unbelievable number of different designs. Chip-carving was used decorating the stave churches, and in the decoration of smaller wooden articles, such as chests, boxes, caskets, and mangle boards. Chip-carving existed side by side with other forms of wood carving and rose painting in country districts, although in certain areas rose painting completely replaced it.
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In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, carving in low relief gradually became known throughout large parts of southern Norway. The decoration of the Oslo Cathedral in 1699 marked the introduction of the new carving style to Norway. This kind of wood carving is so typical of Norway that it has become almost an emblem. Its distinguishing feature is first and foremost the acanthus vine tendril, but flower motifs, figure carvings of angels, and other biblical themes are also important decorative elements. This particular type of wood carving was not, however, found only in monumental public works done by well-known wood carvers. Their style left its mark on many lesser-known wood carvers as well, who made ordinary utility articles such as cupboards, tables, log chairs, ale bowls, ladles, and mangle boards.
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Rose painting
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The term rose painting refers to a style of decorative painting characterized by vine foliage and flowers but also including live figure representations and landscapes in religious and secular scenes. It was used to decorate furnishings and equipment, drinking vessels and eating utensils, and the interiors of houses and storehouses.
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The growth of rose painting in Norway must be seen against a background of economic and cultural conditions. Growth and prosperity in both urban and rural society came as a result of improvements in agriculture as well as expansion of trade and communications. Farmers had more money in their pockets and this affluence, especially among freehold farmers, led to greater possibilities for the development of the arts and crafts. Among other things, this was expressed by improvements in farmhouses.
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This colorful decorative painting flourished for a comparatively short time in the country districts of Norway. Roughly speaking, it lasted from the beginning of the eighteenth century to the last half of the nineteenth
The inspiration for rose painting in the countryside came from the professional handicrafts in the towns. Urban artisans took rose painting as well as wood carving to the country churches. In the seventeenth century more and more country churches were painted; on ceilings, walls, and furnishings vine foliage and flowers now appeared in happy combination with religious scenes deriving from European art.
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The old Valdres Bunad
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"Bunader" - National Costumes
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The use of national costumes for ceremonial dress is a distinctively Norwegian characteristic. The garments are colorful folk costumes based on the dress customs of long ago, and are used today on our constitution day, weddings, christenings, Christmas eve and other special occasions.
Norway is unique in the western world in its use of national costumes as worn today, and this relatively new, but nevertheless strong tradition is becoming more and more popular. Recent years, more and more men have taken interest in bunads for males, and wear them with pride.
Traditionally, people choose their bunad from the place their family/ancestors come from. When I finally talked my mother into making me a bunad, I selected the original Valdres bunad, as my great grandmother come from Valdres. This bunad was inspired by the embroidery on a bonnet and shawl from the district, and was first worn in 1914. The skirt, bodice, bonnet and reticule are in black or dark blue wool with embroidery. There is also a cape or jacket in the same material. The shirt is based on models from Valdres Folk Museum. Black stockings and bunad shoes complete the costume.
Our constitution day, the 17th of May, is enthusiastically celebrated,. Long, colorful parades of flag-waving, singing and shouting children and marching bands along the streets. Everybody that has a bunad is wearing it, and in Oslo you should be able to spot most of the different bunads - both the old originals and the newer types.
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