“Hårnäver” a headdress from Norra Ny in Värmland!

© Text and photo Laila Duran.

This woman is from the parish of Norra Ny situated at the river Klarälven in Värmland. She wears a black pleated skirt, a red festive bodice and the fact that she is not covering her hair shows that she is unmarrried. The Norra Ny costume is one of Värmland’s most traditional and has been strongly influenced by Empire fashion.

Her hair is tied up in a red ribbon and she is wearing a hårnäver. This is a kind of diadem that is used as a hair band to keep the hair high up on the fore head. A hårnäver is made from two pieces of birch-bark that are sewn together with long stitches on the back. They are decoratively painted in red or reddish-brown. Matte paint is used to cover the hårnäver and patterns are painted on free-hand. Bark is collected from the birch trees in the spring when the rising level of sap makes it easy to remove.

The hair is tied up in an “oppbindning” before the hårnäver is placed like a diadem. The decorative red ribbons are hanging loose over her back and shoulders.

The married woman from Norra Ny is wearing the same pleated skirt but with a home woven striped bodies. She also wears her red calico necker chief.

Her hair is tied in a slightly different fashion but this is regarding to personal taste and the length of the hair.

Married women always covered their hair. The white linen cap is tied at the neck with ribbons.

Pretty cross stitch embroidery decorates the cuffs of the Norra Ny shift.

Dressed for autumn with a black wool jacket and embroidered mittens. A bone needle case is hanging from her apron. The white linen cap covers the hårnäver, but the cap is decorated with a fine white lace to frame her face.

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