In the Nineteenth Century, the Nordic countries—Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland—sought to promote their individual cultural identities through art, craft and design. Finland, for one, remained under the thumb of Russia (until 1917). Norway was bound-to (and dominated by) Sweden (until 1905). During this time, artists and designers in each country mined their histories, arts and folklore to revive aesthetic elements which would help foster a unique national identity.
In Norway, the Vikings have always been a compelling symbol of that country's ancient culture. The Celtic aesthetics of the Vikings looked great, was unquestionably Norwegian, and lent itself to the precepts of the broader Arts & Crafts movement which was so popular throughout Europe. Locally, it was called Jugendstil or Norwegian Romantic Nationalism. This movement embraced handcraft, nature, ancient indigenous aesthetics, and an anti-industrial sentiment.
The cabinet and armchair, shown above, were made (c. 1900) by Norwegian woodcarver par excellence, Lars Kinsarvik (1846-1925). He was a masterful carver—as well as a committed Norwegian cultural activist. He carved his pine furniture with animals, trolls, grotesque faces, stylized botanicals, and other fantastical creatures—all embedded within a handsome, scrolling, interlacing Celtic (Viking) fretwork. His work was sometimes referred to as Dragestil (or "Dragon Style"). Kinsarvik painted his works with a color palette inspired by the traditional paint colors of Norwegian peasant homes—and his petroleum blue "base color" was a signature element of his works. As one might expect, traditional Norwegian peasants could not afford such costly works. Instead, well-heeled urban Norwegians embraced his work as a means of expressing their solidarity with their national culture. Kinsarvik exhibited in the Norwegian Pavillion at the Paris World's Fair in 1900. He also was commissioned to carve traditional Norwegian "Stave Churches," tourist hotels and fancy restaurants in Norway.
If I were invited to select one piece from the Frick exhibit to take home, it would (easily) be this armchair by Lars Kinsarvik—a handsome Dragon Style throne fit for a Viking (King). Its owner, collector David Werner, purchased it at an estate sale outside of State College, Pennsylvania. After cleaning-off years of dust and dirt he began to appreciate its wonderful coloration. But he still did not know what he had. And his wife, Susan, was afraid to keep it upstairs—for fear of scaring their small grandchildren. So it was kept in their basement. Fast-forward a few years: the Werners were in the Musée d'Orsay, in Paris, when David Werner let out a shout, "Oh, My God! That's our chair!" It was at this point that they discovered the maker, the year, and the fact that it had been exhibited in the Paris World's Fair of 1900.
Here's a carved and painted pine cabinet, also crafted by Lars Kinsarvik (c. 1900). Note the petroleum blue base color, the signature paint of Kinsarvik's studio.
The scrolling "whiplashing" promotes Norway's Viking heritage—while also placing the piece squarely within the broader Art Nouveau Movement (called Romantic Nationalism in Norway). A bird hovers, wings spread, on the upper panel.
On the lower panel, a grotesque gnome grimaces—a reference to Norway's heritage of fantastical creatures of folklore and legend.
The Swedish ashwood cabinet, shown here, was designed by Nils Kreuger and built by Ernst Lundström (1897). The leather repoussé panel on the door depicts the myth of The Flying Dutchman—a morality tale of a ship that is cursed to sail forever, unable to ever reach land. This story—which has inspired paintings, poetry and operas—is meant to symbolize the frustration of setting unobtainable goals.
In this detail photo, the cursed ship is seen, amidst lightening, tempest-tossed, never able to reach its port.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.