Both portals, which can be dated to around 1180, stem from the stave church at Stedje at the Sognefjord, which was demolished in 1867. Their carved decorations place them in the so-called Sogn-Valdres II type, which was widespread in this region. The undecorated base of the first portal (Stedje I) is topped by a palmette…Continue reading 4 Portals and Stave from the Stave Church in Stedje
Category: Bygningsdeler
19 Door ring from Fana
Lions’ heads with a ring in their mouths have decorated the doors of sanctuaries since antiquity. Their symbolism refers to aspects including vigilance and protection from evil powers, and they were sometimes also used for swearing oaths. This expressive lion’s head, with a (damaged) ring, originally decorated the door of the southern nave portal…Continue reading 19 Door ring from Fana
7 Church Model from Kinsarvik
Miniature churches such as these served as crowning elements to tabernacle shrines (see the reconstruction from Urnes, no. 2). In Norway, a total of four church models are preserved, and in Sweden two. The church model from Kinsarvik has a T-shaped ground plan with a projecting central tower. The Bergen collection holds similar church models…Continue reading 7 Church Model from Kinsarvik