#hitterdal

[bunad]

Needlebound Mitts

Pair of embroidered needlebound mitts, made in Heddal, Telemark in 1727.

Norsk Folkemuseum - Photographer Eva Brænd

Both needlebinding and embroidery are entirely in wool.

unknown if base colour is just white sheep or bleached in some way.

intitials "PT SS"

[bunad]

Norwegian Peasant Axe

This is a type A Norwegian battle axe with decorative carvings. It was likely made between 1650 and 1750 in Heddal. The inscription on the shaft reads:  LARS TAARGIMSON

Photos by Telemark Museum

Closeups of the axe and more about Peasant Axes below 

The characteristic big bend in the shaft that type A axes have.

Peasant Axes

In 1604 the Danish king Christian IV declared he wanted as many Norwegians armed as possible to protect against uprisings and Swedes. Having at least an axe was among the requirements for most people. (The law was a bit more complicated than that but if ur a nerd about 17th century laws read on here)

This requirement would be held until Norway became independent in 1814. They remained popular in rural areas until at least the 1840s.

Today the Peasant Axe is considered a symbol of Norway. It features in the Norwegian coat of arms and the type A used to be in the coat of arms for Telemark County (1970-2019).

[norwegiandailyphoto]

Footprints in snowy Hitterdal churchyard