Virtual Galleries

Vesterheim’s impressive collection numbers more than 59,000 objects, buildings, artworks, documents, and photographs. Here, you can see a selection from the collection. Enjoy decorative woodcarving, Norwegian rosemaling (decorative painting), jewelry and metalworking, textiles (including knitting, weaving, and folk costume), fine arts, and historical images.

Hover over a photo-tile for basic information on the item. Click on the photo-tile for a full view of the item and additional information, such as dimensions and source. There are additional views of some items.

At this time, only a sampling of Vesterheim’s collection is online. The online Virtual Galleries do not include works by living artists.

Questions about these or other objects in Vesterheim’s collection can be sent to info@vesterheim.org.

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Collection
A unique hybrid textile of a handwoven coverlet that was later turned into a quilt

Quilt/Coverlet

1850-1870
Gudbrandsdal, Oppland, Norway and Granite Falls, MN
Kari Iversdatter Staarvik
Textiles
Nineteenth century calico baby quilt is made of 1.5 x 2 inch triangles - Textiles

Quilt

1878
LeMars, IA
Nellie Gunderson Lang.
Textiles
This pieced quilt was made predominantly from wool fabrics in a pattern known as Wagon Wheel or Wheel of Chance - Textiles

Quilt

1880-1900
Freeport, IA
Marguerite Danielson Stie
Textiles
Log Cabin quilt made in the Barn Raising configuration - Textiles

Quilt

1865-1880
New Hope, WI
Mathea Norde
Textiles
alphabet sampler done on a natural colored canvas-backing in cross-stitch using two strands of wool yarn - Textiles

Sampler

1849
Norway
Bertte Olsdatter
Textiles
Alphabet sampler (navneduk) was done in bright colored cross-stitches on a fairly coarse canvas backing - Textiles

Sampler

1879
Solør, Hedmark, Norway
Karoline Vensta
Textiles
Sampler (navneduk) with floral designs, two birds, initials, and letters of the alphabet

Sampler

1888
Røros, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway
Kersti Prytz
Textiles
One side of this coverlet, or båtrye, resembles a rug or carpet with wool yarn and pieces of fabric

Coverlet

ca. 1890
Skodje, Sunnmøre, Møre og Romsdal, Norway
Nikoline Indregerg
Textiles
Rya coverlet woven using a diamond twill variant - Textiles

Coverlet

1830-1870
Norway
Unknown
Textiles
Tapestry based on a cartoon designed by the Norwegian artist Thorolf Holmboe - Textiles

Tapestry

ca. 1913
Minneapolis, MN
Pauline Fjelde
Textiles
This tapestry, titled The Elves, was designed by the Norwegian artist Thorolf Holmboe

Tapestry

1892
Minneapolis, MN
Pauline Fjelde
Textiles
Bridal Rug with masterfully embroidered multi-colored flowers - Textiles

Bridal Rug

1675
Lærdal, Norway
Unknown
Textiles
Rug made using a variety of rags - Textiles

Rug

1848
Coon Valley, WI
Agathe Gulbrandsen
Textiles
Mittens knit with wool and are embroidered with Hallingdal-style

Mittens

ca. 1850
Hallingdal, Buskerud, Norway
Unknown
Textiles
Women's gloves crocheted by Mrs. Berit Rustland

Gloves

1977
Flesberg, Numedal, Buskerud, Norway
Mrs. Berit Rustand
Textiles
Wrist warmers hand-knit using what appears to be vegetable dyed red and black sheep wool

Wrist Warmers

1890
Røros, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway
Sister of Mrs. Elling Tronnes
Textiles

Socks and Garter

Nineteenth century
Hardanger, Hordaland, Norway
Unkown
Textiles
an example of a variety patching techniques on a plain ground

Sampler

1862-1865
Larvik, Vestfold, Norway
Mother and aunt of donor
Textiles
Quilt constructed with blocks of eight-pointed stars

Quilt

1852-1865
Kendall County, IL
Eli Guttormsdatter Øritzlan, Anna Marthe Erkisdatter Knudson, and Ellen Knudson
Textiles
This quilt is made of repeating blocks of Norwegian flags

Quilt

1895-1925
Minneapolis, MN
Unknown
Textiles
Ole Bull, John R. Larsen - Fine Arts

Ole Bull

1882
Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S.
John R. Larsen
Fine Arts
House on the River, Karl Larsen - Fine Arts

House on the River

1939
Rockaway, New Jersey, U.S.
Karl Larsen
Fine Arts
Eastward, Jonas Lie - Fine Arts

Eastward

1920
United States
Jonas Lie
Fine Arts
Svolvaer Fishing Harbor, Jonas Lie - Fine Arts

Svolvaer Fishing Harbor

Unknown
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Jonas Lie
Fine Arts
Viking Ship, Jonas Lie - Fine Arts

Viking Ship

ca. 1930s
United States
Jonas Lie
Fine Arts
Anchored at Concarneau, Jonas Lie - Fine Arts

Anchored at Concarneau

ca. 1929
France
Jonas Lie
Fine Arts
Ships Leaving Port at Dawn, Jonas Lie - Fine Arts

Ships Leaving Port at Dawn

ca. 1930
United States or Norway
Jonas Lie
Fine Arts

Dressing Gown

ca. 1900
Argyle, WI
Helena Monson Rossing
Textiles