Text and photo Laila Duran ©
One of the most popular tourist attractions in the western part of Norway is Hardanger, dominated by the Hardangerfjord. The scenery, with farms cultivating fruit, snowy mountain tops and good fishing, has been the motif of many famous paintings from the Romantic era. Hardanger Folkemuseum is the oldest museum in the region, founded in 1911. The open air museum with more than 20 buildings, from the 15th to the 19th century, is situated at the foreland of Utne.
The woman, seated in the living room in one of the 19th century houses, is wearing a Hardanger bunad and the traditional “hardangerskaut”, a head-rail, used by married women.
The mens bunad jacket and waistcoat are made from red woolen cloth with green edging, decorated with plenty of forged silver buttons. Used on special occasions are the silver ring, watch chain, and the colorful silk scarf. The wooden goblet, like the one he is holding, was used all over all over Scandinavia.
Lars Kinsarvik was a very influential wood-carwer and artist in the late 20st century. His work, who came to be known as “the Norwegian style”, was shown in exhibitions all over Norway and Europe. In 1899 he represented Norway at the World Exhibition in Paris.
This is a drinking-vessel carved and painted by Kinsarvik. The museums has several pieces.
The bunad from Hardanger is a living tradition and has evolved from a folk costume. The different regions are indicated in the detailing on the costumes. This bunad has a green silk bodies and a black woolen skirt. The white apron has inlaid embroidery, which is known as Hardanger embroidery.
A dark green waistcoat can also be worn with the red jacket. At the wrists he is wearing embroidered wristlets of coarse woolen cloth with napped edgings. The hat is trimmed with silk ribbon and a silver lace. The collar on his shirt is closed with a silver button with hanging leaves.
The girl´s jacket, in dark blue wool and silk edging, is an original from the museum collection. Her plaited hair and the embroidered belt indicates that she is not married.
For more information please visit:
http://www.hardangerogvossmuseum.no/hardanger-folkemuseum/norsk/aktuelt.aspx
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The bunad of Fana has a living tradition. The very old fashioned headdress is worn by the married woman.
The bunad has a short wool jacket with fine silk ribbon edging. The white festive apron is decorated with crochet lace.
