Skog tapestry

The Skog tapestry (Swedish: Skogbonaden or Skogtapeten) is a medieval textile work of art which was discovered in Skog Church in Sweden in 1912. Its subject matter remains a matter of discussion. The tapestry is presently housed in the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm.

The Skog tapestry
Detail with three prominent figures; it remains unclear what they represent
Cf. Gotland Runic Inscription 181 with figures identified as Odin, Thor, and Freyr.

History

The tapestry was discovered in 1912 by Frans Rodenstam and Erik Salvén, who were on a tour of churches in Hälsingland looking for textile church art for an exhibition. At the time, the tapestry was used as a cloth and was wrapped around a bridal crown in the attic of Skog Church. It was in a poor shape and was sent for conservation to Stockholm, where it was professionally treated by Agnes Branting. It is presently kept at the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm. Using radiocarbon dating, researchers have concluded that the tapestry was made sometime between 1240 and 1410, and most probably during the late 13th century.[1][2][3] The original location of the tapestry is unknown; a chapel was built in Skog only in 1324.[3]

Description

The tapestry is made of a mixture of linen and wool and woven in soumak technique;[1] it is one of the last examples of soumak weaving technique in medieval Swedish textile art.[3] Approximately 15 centimetres (5.9 in) of the original tapestry's right side has been lost.[1]

The subject matter that the tapestry depicts has been lively discussed. Notably, it is the depiction of three prominent figures that has caused debate. One theory posits that they are representations of the three Nordic saint-kings Saint Olaf, Saint Eric and Saint Canute. Another theory is that they are representing the three Norse divinities Odin, Thor and Freyr, on account that one of the figures, like Odin, is lacking one eye. Later research has however concluded that the missing eye has simply been lost by wear and all three figures originally had two eyes. There is also a central structure in the tapestry which possibly depicts a church, which would rule out a pagan subject matter.[1] Other interpretations have been that the three figures represent the Magi or the Trinity.[3] The subject matter of the tapestry as a whole has been interpreted by some as a depiction of the struggle between paganism and Christianity.[2]

The tapestry displays many similarities with the older Överhogdal tapestries.[2]

See also

References
  1. "Skogbonaden". Himlen är här. Church of Sweden. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  2. Wiklund, Anna-Maria (12 May 2009). "Märklig bonad hemma i Hälsingland". Sundsvalls tidning. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  3. Busck, Christina (7 May 2009). "Den unika bonaden från Skog". HelaHälsningland. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
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