This head of a tonsured figure, which has also been called ‘monk’s head’ (‘munkehodet’), is one of the few wooden sculptures from the late twelfth century preserved in Norway. In terms of style, the head can be compared to the angel from an Entombment group now in the Bode-Museum in Berlin (inv. no. 2969), which…Continue reading 2 Head of a Figure from Urnes
Category: Figur
3 Marian shrine from Urnes
This enthroned Virgin is one of the earliest preserved Marian sculptures in Norway and can be dated to the second half of the twelfth century. Mary sits frontally on a folding throne decorated with animal heads and addresses the onlooker with a poignant gaze. Her skin is whitish, her cheeks are reddish, and her eyes…Continue reading 3 Marian shrine from Urnes
5 Calvary Group from Giske
On the island of Giske, north of Ålesund, stands a well-built twelfth-century church of white marble that was founded by a prominent nobleman. From this church stems a three-figure Romanesque Calvary group that, despite its battered state, still betrays its remarkable artistic quality. The original polychromy, the cross and arms of the Christ figure, as…Continue reading 5 Calvary Group from Giske
10 Marian shrine from Kyrkjebø
This Virgin of the Sedes Sapientiae (‘Throne of Wisdom’) type is seated frontally on a throne with painted architectural decorations on the sides. Mary wears a golden robe that falls down in thick V-shaped folds and is fastened with a golden belt. Her golden mantle, draped over her right knee, is lined with painted imitation…Continue reading 10 Marian shrine from Kyrkjebø
13 St. Olav from Dale
In this life-sized sculpture, the King, St Olav, is seated on an architecturally shaped throne with corner posts and a cushion on top, painted in ‘dual shading’. He wears a fastened, imitation-golden robe that falls to his ankles, and an opened red mantle lined with imitation fur. He has a young, bearded face and half-long…Continue reading 13 St. Olav from Dale
1 Virgin and Child from Urnes
This enthroned Virgin Mary is one of the oldest saints’ sculptures preserved in Norway. Several motifs, such as the parallel folds between the shoes, are reminiscent of northern French sculptures and sculptures from the Rhine and Meuse Valleys, in what are now Germany and Belgium. Nevertheless, it cannot be determined with certainty whether it…Continue reading 1 Virgin and Child from Urnes
4 Dossal Altarpiece from Austevoll
Besides shrines that can be closed with wings, there were also wingless, so-called ‘dossal altars’, that cannot be closed. The dossal, i.e., back panel, can nevertheless be understood as a motif that exalts the figure and distinguishes it in the church interior. The dossal altarpiece from Austevoll shows the holy King Olav, medieval Norway’s most…Continue reading 4 Dossal Altarpiece from Austevoll
5 Marian Shrine from Hove
The so-called ‘Hove-Madonna’ is among the most precious medieval sculptures in Norway. Its shapes, carving and polychromy (painted decorations and gilding) are of the highest quality. The Virgin and Child are seated on a throne under a baldachin. Iron hooks on either side of the back panel indicate that the shrine could be closed. According…Continue reading 5 Marian Shrine from Hove
6 Virgin and Child with Tabernacle Shrine from Kyrkjebø
During the restoration of this Marian figure in the 1960s, several parchment fragments were found inside the sculpture’s hollow backside. These were recently rediscovered in the University Museum’s archive and interpreted. The fragments probably stem from a Missal. They were reused to fill holes that had occured during the carving of the figure before the…Continue reading 6 Virgin and Child with Tabernacle Shrine from Kyrkjebø
8 Virgin and Child from Røldal
The Virgin and Child from Røldal stood inside a tabernacle shrine with scenes on the insides of the wings. One wing is preserved (see no. 3). The Madonna was probably situated on a Lady altar on the north side in the nave of the stave church, opposite from an altar with a sculpture of St…Continue reading 8 Virgin and Child from Røldal
9 St Olav from Røldal
The pendant to the Virgin from Røldal stave church was the holy King Olav, who probably occupied a side altar in the nave, where the community gathered for worship. The similar size, style and execution of both sculptures suggest that both were produced in the same workshop. The St Olav figure rests on a socle…Continue reading 9 St Olav from Røldal