Woven History in Jämtland

The Överhogdal tapestries are some of Europe’s most remarkable cultural treasures. Radiocarbon dating places this series of woven fabrics to the end of Viking age at AD 1040-1170, making them the oldest preserved interior textiles in Europe.

The tapestries were probably not made in Sweden - they may have been woven in Norway  - and it is thought they were brought to the country as the Vikings returned home from their journeys. The man credited with finding them, artist Paul Jonze, came across them in 1910 in a store-shed next to Överhogdal church. ‘The tapestry was neither rolled up nor hanging,’ he said, ‘but lay like large rag crumpled up on the floor to the right of the door. It lay among dusty mouldings and other bits of interior decoration, old round timber of birch, wingless angels and other such varied rubbish that is collected over the years in similar storage places. Whether it had lain in the wooden store-shed for a long time or not has not been established...’

The tapestries consist of five separate pieces; one is a double weave while the other four have been made using a looping technique. Each is covered in figures of people, horses, wild animals and legendary creatures, all hurrying in rows from right to left passing houses, churches and ships on their way.

The meaning of these motifs and symbols is a mystery lost to time and they have been interpreted in many different ways. Some believe that they show the story of the missionary Staffan bringing Christianity to Jämtland, while others see scenes from the 13th century Old Norse Völsunga saga. A more recent theory is that the images are about the end of the world – known as ‘Ragnarök’ in Norse mythology, or the Apocalypse in Christianity.

Whatever your interpretation, to see these ancient tapestries is to touch history.

Come and see them as part of our Sámi Folk Craft Experience in the Wild Beauty of Jämtland, Sweden.