Coverlets at the Bergen Museum

Well technically I saw the coverlets at the Textile Conservation Lab at the University of Bergen, which runs the Museum. Aud Bergli, who has worked there 30 years had 9 doublecloth coverlets ready when I arrived this morning. One by one she would unroll the tissue paper wrapped linen-covered tubes that held each coverlet - it was like Christmas as each one unrolled to reveal the coverlet or maybe wall hanging inside.

Some had dates woven in and dated to mid 1800's, others are unknown but seem much earlier, by technique, color, motifs and condition.

I took lots of pictures, got to look at the reverse side (gloves, not only to protect the fragile textiles, but also to protect me from the insecticide treatment they did in the 60's), and spent time figuring out the woven structure. Because these are handwoven on fairly primitive looms, I could empathize with the weaver back then who, distracted by a child or family duties, lost track of the pattern sequence or color arrangement. Hopefully she could take pleasure in the overall beauty of her work and not just see the "flaw" everytime she saw it. I'm still working on that one myself.

Many thanks to Aud for generously giving me the time to study these treasures (I kept her past her lunchtime, I was there nearly 3 hours) and to Thommas and Jorunn for seeing that I got there and back in good company.