In the period 1929-1932, near Sandeid in Vindafjord, South-West Norway, archaeologists made an extraordinary find from The Migration Period (6th century AD), in a bog. There were several textile fragments, raw wool and some human hair. The most spectacular item was fragments of a tablet woven band.
A couple of months ago, I was contacted by the Museum of Archaeology in Stavanger, who were looking for someone to produce a replica of the Helgaland tablet woven band, to be used in the newly re-reconstructed Iron Age longhouse at Ullandhaug. I was up for the task, and now, after a few months work, I am finished and ready to show the finished product.
The band is made by using 80 tablets (320 threads!). The finished product has 9 figures, and is approximately 110 cm long (the original was 2-3 meters long). It is 9-10 cm wide. I used Mora 100% wool yarn (20/2), plant dyed by the fantastic Elisabeth Vetland. I have calculated that I’ve spent approximately 150 work hours on it.
I would like to thank Randi Stoltz for initially sending The Museum of Archaeology my way, and for having provided me with her own interpretation of the pattern, great information, both written and in person. Thanks to Lasse for taking pictures of my work, and for being the best moral support I could ask for.
Sources:
– Halvorsen, S. W. 2008. Myrfunn av tekstiler – en ny undersøkelse av funnene fra Tegle og Helgeland. Masteroppgave, UiB.
– Stoltz, R. 2016. Helgalandsbåndet – en arbeidsrapport. Available in Fra Haug ok Heidni, nummer 3 – 2016.
Liljekonvall Tablet Weaving 