By Robbie LaFleur

Vestfold shown in red

Sixteen historical coverlets from the region of Vestfold in Norway are symbolic in two ways. First, the intricate bands of pattern woven in Vestfoldsmett inlay technique contain symbols. The Vestfoldtepper (Vestfold coverlets) were woven between 1708 and the mid-1800s. More recently, the weavings themselves have become important cultural symbols of the region. 

When King Harald and Queen Sylvia visited Vestfold in 2012, they were presented with a Vestfoldteppe reproduction woven by Laila Thorrud, a copy of the Døvleteppe. A press release about the royal visit to Andebu described the weaving: “The Døvleteppet has characteristic broad stripes with different background colors and a pattern in each stripe. Hidden in the patterns are symbols and messages. A square represents the four corners of the earth, which symbolizes that God is God for everyone. The Døvleteppe has woven squares with crosses. Grape clusters reference grapes at the holy table–that is, wine. The zigzag borders are lightning or rainbows.”

The original Døvleteppet. Details from digitaltmuseum.no

 A Harvest Celebration with a Vestfoldteppe

The “Asketeppe” is one of the sixteen historical Vestfoldtepper that have been discovered in the Vestfold area. It was named after the Aske farm in Brunlanes, but originated in Kjose, an inland village near Larvik. It was woven around 1800 and first displayed publicly in 1938.

In 2018 the the Hillestad Bygdekvinnelag (a regional women’s group) used a reproduction Asketeppe as the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving celebration at Hillestad Church. Marianne Løchen, head of the group, purchased the Asketeppe on the Norwegian auction site, finn.no (inexpensively, she noted). 

Pastor Beint Saaghus presided on the festival day, and she was given a list of the symbols depicted in the bands, perfect for a celebration of harvest.

1. (black background) Grain planted in the field.
2. (green background) The grain is sprouting.
3. (red background) Winter rye is sprouting in the spring.
4. (black background) Grain is flowering.
5. (red background) Grain sets its heads.
6. (dark blue background) Kernels grow in the heads. 
7. (green background) Grain is sprouting and growing. 
8. (blue background) Flowers.
9. (red background) The grain heads out. The small dots are bees flying around.
10. (green background) Urn figures and candleholders symbolize the harvest.
11. (white background) This area symbolizes the sky with rainbows.
12. (black background) The starry sky surrounds the earth.

Ingvild Stomsvik and Marianne Løchen at the Hillestad Church celebration. After the service, they served traditional Kjærlighetssuppe (love-soup). 

The Asketeppe must be a popular pattern; it was chosen as the image for an ad for Vestfoldteppe patterns. The ad reads, “In Vestfold we have a weaving technique known as Vestfoldsmett. Vestfold Husflidslag has created patterns for 13 coverlets and one runner. They are created from originals from all of Vestfold. You can purchase patterns and specially-dyed yarn from the three Husflid shops in Vestfold.”

Vestfoldtepper are historical regional textiles that are still celebrated today. If you visit Vestfold in the future, keep an eye out–you’ll likely spot a weaving with the popular Vestfoldsmett technique.