Trunk

Object NameTrunk

Datec. 1852

OriginNorway

MediumWood - pine?

Dimensions21 × 42 × 22 in. (53.3 × 106.7 × 55.9 cm)

ClassificationsFurniture

Credit LineTransferred from Home Economics Department. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object number74.13.49

Status

On view

Collections

Decorative Arts

CultureNorwegian

Label TextFor centuries painting on decorative arts and furnishings was practiced throughout Europe, but the style called Rosemaling is a unique Norwegian expression of it. Rosemaling was introduced as the Norwegian economy began to take off in the 1700s. Guilds of artisans were created and often traveled the country painting the furnishings and interiors of the wealthy in this style that loosely translates to “rose painting”. Artist created their own signature styles, some regionally based, and were the catalyst for bringing color into the once drab soot filled Norwegian homes. Noted is that “rose painting” often involved no actual roses, instead the term Rosemaling probably originates from Norwegian dialects where words like rosut, rosete or rosa mean decorative or decorated. In the 1800’s Rosemaling began to go out of fashion about the same time there was extensive emigration from Norway to North America. The immigrants brought along some of their most treasured and personal decorated objects such as trunks as they journeyed to the new world and a new life. With the wave of emigration came artists and the art of rosemaling – bringing this uniquely Norwegian decorating style to America. This functional Norwegian trunk with its decorative flourishes is an example from 1852 with detailed Rosemaling and is even personalized with the date and name Anna.

Locations