European Folk Art Designs

Marty Noble

Copyright

Copyright © 2004 by Dover Publications, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Bibliographical Note

European Folk Art Designs is a new work, first published by Dover Publications, Inc., in 2004.

DOVER Pictorial Archive SERIES

This book belongs to the Dover Pictorial Archive Series. You may use the designs and illustrations for graphics and crafts applications, free and without special permission, provided that you include no more than four in the same publication or project. (For permission for additional use, please write to Permissions Department, Dover Publications, Inc., 31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, N.Y. 11501.)

However, republication or reproduction of any illustration by any other graphic service, whether it be in a book or in any other design resource, is strictly prohibited.

International Standard Book Number: 0-486-43757-4

9780486145433

Manufactured in the United States of America
Dover Publications, Inc., 31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, N.Y. 11501

Introduction

In this diverse and carefully chosen collection, you’ll find a treasury of designs drawn from the centuries-old folk art traditions of many European lands. Taken from a host of original sources—textiles, earthenware, furniture, embroidery, clothing, shoes, cupboards, wine bottles, boxes, plates, and many other items in common use—these motifs derive directly from the life of the people and the popular culture of Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and many more countries.

Included here are sixty plates (two to nine designs per plate) of plant and animal motifs, Christmas and holiday decorations, abstracts, geometric motifs, religious figures (Madonnas, saints, etc.), and other designs originally employed to add decorative flair to interiors, household objects, utilitarian items, and personal possessions. Sometimes highly stylized, often full of charm and whimsy, these images have been handed down for generations, offering a rich connection with artists and craftspeople of times past.

Ranging from simple to intricate, delicate to bold, realistic to highly imaginative, the designs in this book will help you bring authentic folk flavor to a wide array of artistic and craft projects: needlework, fabric and textile design, silkscreen, leatherwork, wood burning, and more. Use the designs as they appear here, or scan them into your computer to reduce or enlarge them, or adapt them in any way you see fit. Ready for immediate practical use, without permission or fee, these time-honored motifs represent an evergreen source of artistic and crafts inspiration.

Albania

(a–b) Embroidered borders from ceremonial shawls, vicinity of Berat, north Albania. (c) Hem of a coverlet, silk embroidery.

Austria

(a) Onion bowl, Linz region, upper Austria (1787). (b) Motif from a plate (1900s). (c) Wine jug, upper Austria (18th century).

(d) Design from a bowl, southern upper Austria (18th century). (e) Design from a plate, Styria, Austria (18th–19th century).

Austria

(a) Plate design (18th–19th century). (b–c) Wine jugs, upper Austria (18th century). (d) Bowl design (18th century).

Belgium

(a) Ornamental painted wooden shoe, Antwerp (19th century). (b) Curry comb of brass, Flemish (19th century). (c) Horseman on plate, Thourout (1781). (d) Signboard of an inn, iron plate, Flemish (1800). (e) Ornamental painted wooden shoe, Antwerp (19th century). (f) Painted clay statue of rooster (1800s).

Bulgaria

(a) Sleeve embroidery, woman’s shirt, Dupnica and Grahovo territory (18th century). (b) Glazed water jug, Sophia. (c) Sleeve embroidery, woman’s shirt, vicinity of Grohovo (18th century). (d) Sleeve and cuff embroidery, woman’s shirt, Sophia vicinity (19th century).

Czechoslovakia

(a) Polychrome relief of Adam and Eve, crucifix, southeastern Moravia (19th century). (b) Wrought iron sepulchral cross, south Bohemia (19th century). (c) Jug decoration (19th century). (d) Painted motif, chest, Kostic, near Breclava (1862).

Czechoslovakia

(a) Back of man’s jacket, cloth with silk embroidery, Obrava, northern Dalmatia, Yugoslavia. (b) Hunter’s powder horn, relief in stone with colored engraving, central Slovakia (18th century). (c) Detail of stamped metal design. (d) St. John of Nepomuk in the grave; painting under glass, patterned after silver gravestone.

Czechoslovakia

(a) Men with hats, polychrome relief from a beehive, Zeleznice, north Bohemia (1880). (b) Pierrot, wooden gingerbread mold (19th century). (c) Baby, wooden gingerbread mold, northeastern Bohemia (18th century). (d) Madonna with sprig, carved wooden statue, Pstruzi, eastern Moravia (18th century).

Czechoslovakia

(a) Painted motif, chest, Kostic, near Breclava (1862). (b) Motif of deer and birds carved on a wooden blueprint pattern (19th century).

Czechoslovakia

(a) Headboard design, southern Moravia (19th century). (b) Stamped metal design. (c) Detail of a painted chest (19th century). (d) Figure of a Hungarian musician by Czech artist (early 1900s). (e) Painted motif, wooden chest, Kostic, near Breclava (1862). (f) The Spanish Dancer (Pepita de Olivia), wooden gingerbread mold (1855).

Denmark

(a) Double container for keeping children’s food warm, Holbaek (1759). (b) Silver hat buckle, Laeso (1800). (c) Detail of woolen coach blanket. (d) Breast ornament and front clasp, gilded silver, Amager (early 19th century). (e) Section of embroidered bench cover, County Copenhagen (1817).

Denmark

(a) Plate, Holbaek district, Sealand (second half of 18th century). (b) Bowl, Aarhus district, Jutland (1761). (c) Section of embroidered wool coach blanket, Sealand (1826). (d) Embroidery, marriage shawl, Norway (1777). (e) Silver embroidery, child’s velvet bonnet, County Frederiksborg, north Sealand (19th century).

Danmark

(a) Chair cover, County Holback, Sealand (late 18th century). (b) Laundry board, multicolored paint, County Soro, Sealand (1799). (c) Board for ball playing, multicolored paint, Amager (1797). (d) Embroidery, vanity handkerchief, County Frederiksborg, north Sealand (1832).

Finland

(a) Candleholder, Valle, Saetesdalen, south Norway (early 19th century). (b) Wooden vessel, Rusko (16th century). (c) Decorative motif from rullstolar, Vasa Ian (19th century). (d–e) Flax holders, Sund (19th century). (f) Grandfather clock, Osterbotten (19th century).

Finland

(a) Pearl embroidery on cloth from a woman’s headdress, Finnish Lapland. (b) A rullstolar to hold thread, Vasa Ian (19th century). (c–d) Flax holders, Sund, (19th century). (e) Carved clock case, Osterbotten (19th century).

France

(a) Detail from The World Turned Upside Down, carved wood, Le Mans (late 18th century). (b) Bouquet, painted beechwood, Alsace (1830–1840). (c) “Fountain” water jar, glazed earthenware (1828). (d) Tattoo design, painted silk (19th century). (e) Carved decorative element on wooden cask, Alsace (1750).

France

(a) Detail from The World Turned Upside Down, carved wood, LeMans (late 18th century). (b) Puppet head of wood, iron, and cloth (early 1900s). (c) Powder flask, incised boxwood and iron studs, western France (1793). (d) Stele from Bardos Graveyard, geometric sawtooth designs, circles with radials and stars, Labourd region (1761).

France

(a) Decorated flour sack stencil, Alsace (1850). (b) Christening letter or “baptismal greeting” known as Goettelbriefe, cut-out paper, Alsace (1806). (e) Drummer, carved wooden gingerbread mold.

Germany

(a) Painted wooden cross with tin roof, Neuwernsdorf (1814). (b) Festive candleholder centerpiece for Christmas, Saxony. (c) Eartheware vessel, Rhenish (17th–19th century). (d) Deer motif, glazed earthenware bowl, Winsener Marsh (18th century). (e) Small carved and painted rocking horse, vicinity of Seiffen, Erzgebirge (19th century).

Germany

(a) Painted archery target in wood with Saxon emblems; flags, feather bush over a crown, Saxony (early 1900s). (b) Wardrobe door depicting Jacob and Rachel, border region of Saxony and Bohemia (1783). (c) Design from earthenware vessel, Rhenish (17th–19th century). (d) Design from glazed earthenware bowl, Winsener Marsh (18th century). (e) Floor tile from Calw district (1790). (f) Horseman on a plate, Rhenish Palatinate (1736). (g) Earthenware jug with pewter lid, lower Rhine region (17th century).

Germany

(a) Carved wood angel candleholder, Erzgebirge, Saxony (19th century). (b) Lid of painted wooden box, Berchtesgaden, Bavaria (19th century). (c) Painted wooden cake platter, Lausitz (19th century). (d) Design from a plate, Alsace (18th century).

Greece

(a & c) Details from silk embroidery on linen tablecloth (19th century). (b) Detail from plate design, Dardanelles (early 1900s). (d) Silk embroidery on linen drape (18th–19th century). (e) Silk embroidery from sleeve of woman’s chemise (19th century).

Greece

(a) Bowl with lid from the Greek Dardanelles (early 1900s). (b) Silk embroidery from sleeve of woman’s chemise (19th century). (c) Unglazed vessel with white paint, Skyros (19th century). (d) Bird motif embroidered in silk on linen pillow (18th–19th century). (e) Silk embroidery on linen tablecloth (19th century).

Greece

(a) Silk embroidery on linen sash (18th century). (b) Silk embroidery from sleeve of woman’s chemise (19th century). (c) Plate design, Greek work from the Dardanelles (early 1900s). (d) Silk embroidery on linen cloth (18th and 19th centuries).

Holland

(a) Base of wooden frame used to raise furniture in case of a flood, Hindenloopen (1737). (b) Painted wall box, Hindenloopen (18th century). (c) Design from painted wooden plate, Hindenloopen (18th century). (d) Painted small wooden box with metal footwarmer, Hindenloopen (18th century).

Holland

(a) Unpainted carved wooden shoe. (b) Large platter from Gennup (18th century). (c) Painted clay pipe. (d) Detail of a drop-leaf table, Hindenloopen (18th century). (e) Small vessel. (f) Section of underside of drop-leaf table, Hindenloopen (18th century).

Hungary

(a) Faience ewer, Habaner ware (18th century). (b) Sampler embroidery, west Hungary, Slovak influence (early 19th century). (c) Traditional bird motif. (d) Faience ewer, Habaner ware (17th century). (e) Traditional bird motif.

Hungary

(a) Tile (early 18th century). (b) Habanian tile depicting a Hungarian soldier, upper Hungary (18th century). (c) Traditional bird motif. (d) Tile (18th century). (e) Section of embroidered bedsheet (early 19th century).

Hungary

(a) Section of embroidery on altar hanging, west Hungary (19th century). (b) traditional bird motif. (c) Traditional animal motif.

Iceland

(a) Carved mermaid design, headboard (19th century). (b) Metal copy of part of a copper horse harness (17th–18th century). (c) Detail of small cabinet door, some painted ornament (late 18th century). (d) Wood carving (early 19th century).

Italy

(a) Rug, Aquila, Pescocostanzo, Abruzzi (19th century). (b) Section of rug, vicinity of Aquila, Abruzzi (late 17th century). (c) Section of large rug, Pescocostanzo, Abruzzi (late 18th century).

Italy

(a) Woodcarving from rear board of Sicilian cart. (b) Lid of wooden box, painted in style of Sicilian carts.

Italy

(a) Mythical animals and birds on detail of antique tapestry (19th century). (b) Painted tambourine, Sicily. (c) Italian cutwork on linen (early 17th century). (d) Wine jar, Abruzzi (19th century). (e) Bottle with face motif, Abruzzi (18th century).

Lithuania

(a–b) Embroidered satchels. (c) Mitten. (d) Glove. (e) Mitten. (f–g) Embroidered textile trims. (All early 1900s).

Norway

(a) Tapestry from Sor-Trondelag depicting the Wise and Foolish Virgins (mid-17th century). (b) Section of large tapestry from Baldishol Church depicting the months of April and May as a young squire and a young warrior (12th century).

Norway

(a) Belt buckle cast in two pieces and soldered together, Hallingdal. (b) Wooden beer mug. (c) Carved toy horse, Lillehammer.

Norway

(a) Detail from door painting (original design from woodcut of a Danish king), Hallingdal. (b) Horn ring pin, older type, Bykle, Setesdal. (c) Drinking horn, Vinje, Telemark. (d) Detail of pew from Torpostave Church (man in clutches of a lion), Hallingdal. (e) Decorative post on a fire screen from Hardanger.

Norway

(a) Carved ale vessel, west Norway (18th century). (b) Painted design on lid of Rogaland chest (1831). (c) Detail of painting on wall cupboard, Hallingdal (1833).

Poland

Wycinanki paper-cut desings from rural Poland (19th century).

Poland

(a) Plate design (19th century). (b) Painting on glass, in wooden frame (19th century).

Poland

(a) Glass painting, Podhale, Tatra, Poland (early 19th century). (b) Polish Wycinanki design (early 19th century). (c–d) Details from plate design (19th century). (e) Majolica stove tile with engraved outline (19th century). (f) Wooden church candle chandelier, carved and painted (19th century). (g) Majolica stove tile with engraved outline (19th century).

Portugal

(a–b) Plates (18th–19th century). (c) Sewing kit, carved from cork and painted (1862). (d) Majolica tile or pottery design with fish motif. (e) Large plate with sailing boat and floral motif (17th century).

Portugal

(a) Ox yoke, wood carving, Monho, north Portugal (19th century). (b) Jug with dog motif (early 1900s). (c) Section from large embroidered rug (18th century). (d) Detail from plate design (18th–19th century). (e) Sewing kit, carved from cork and painted (1862). (f) Detail from majolica tile.

Romania

(a) Tile with green glaze, Transylvania (17th century). (b) Pitcher with lead glazing, Saxon work from Transylvania (18th century). (c) Unglazed tile with coat of arms of Sibiu, Transylvania (early 18th century).

Romania

(a) Large glazed bowl, Transylvania (18th century). (b–c) Textile motifs. (d) Tile design, Transylvania (18th century).

Romania

(a) Bird motif from plate decorated in sgraffitto technique (1805). (b) Tile with green glaze, Transylvania (17th century). (c) Alvincz faience ewer, Transylvania (18th century). (d) Decorative textile motif, Muntenia.

Spain

(a) Wooden cross (18th century). (b) Detail of embroidered handbag (18th century). (c) Dona de la Rosa (Lady of the Rose), polychrome wood figurehead, Barcelona (1900). (d) Hand puppets, polychrome wood, human hair, cloth and glass, Cataluna, (19th century). (e) Viejo Cabezudo (Old Big Head), painted papier-mâché, Zaragosa (early 1900s).

Spain

(a) Traditional shawl with wool and silk embroidery, Castile (18th century). (b–c) Details of embroidery on shawl.

Spain

(a) Spoon and fork with flowers and deer, Salamanca (early 1900s). (b) Carved wooden cherub with glass eyes, embroidered textile background (18th century). (c) Wooden spoon with carved design of a couple, flowers and birds, Salamanca (1900s). (d) Glazed and incised earthenware pitcher with the symbols of Christ, Palencia (early 1900s).

Spain

(a) Brass-and-horn powder horn, Salamanca (1796). (b) Detail of embroidered scarf. (c) Filigree jar, Alba de Tormes (early 1900s). (d) Nuestra Senora de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows), oil on glass, Andalucia (late 18th century).

Sweden

(a) Frame to hold a watch, Bohuslan (1800). (b) Ornament carved from bone with incised design, Swedish Lapland. (c)Small box, Vasterbotten (early 19th century). (d) Embroidery from vanity handkerchief, Denmark (1818).

Sweden

(a) Flax holder, Vasterbotten (19th century). (b) Ornament carved from bone with incised design, Swedish Lapland. (c) Clock case with glued-on carved ornaments, Angermanland, north Sweden (early 19th century). (d) Painted wardrobe door, Dalarne (1785).

(a) Knife handle of bone incised with ornament, Swedish Lapland. (b) Leather pouch with cloth mosaic, Swedish Lapland. (c) Front of a wooden musician’s drum, Swedish Lapland. (d) Carved wooden spoon, Dalarne (19th century). (e) Leather glove embroidered with silk and hemmed in silver tape (18th century). (f) Flax holder, Vasterbotten (19th century). (g) Ornament carved from bone with incised design, Swedish Lapland. (h) Knife handle of bone incised with ornament, Swedish Lapland.

Switzerland

(a) Painted design from wooden box lid, Baden, Aargua (19th century). (b) Center design from plate, Heimburg (18th century). (c) Painted bowl cover, Langnau (1781). (d) Painted wardrobe door, Stein, Canton Appenzell (1745). (e) Plate design, Langnau (1778).

Switzerland

(a) Plate, Heimberg (1789). (b) Jug with pewter lid, western Switzerland (18th century). (c) Cupboard door painting, Stein, Canton Appenzell (1766). (d) Wooden Christmas angel, Erzgebirge, Saxony (19th century).

Ukraine

Ukrainian Easter eggs (Pysanky).

Ukraine

(a) Fish motif. (b) Detail of Ukrainian Easter egg. (c) Fish motif. (d) Goat and flower motif. (e) Bird motif.

Yugoslavia

(a) Wool embroidery on woman’s cotton shirt, Vodna near Skoplje, Macedonia (19th century). (b–d) Silk and gold embroidery on cloth made by Muslim women from Bosnia (19th century).

Yugoslavia

(a) Wool embroidery on woman’s cotton shirt, Vodna near Skoplje, Macedonia. (b) Shepherd’s wood mug, Sibinji, Slovenia (19th century). (c) Pottery from Visnjica near Kiseljak, Bosnia (19th century). (d) Section of woman’s jacket made of cloth with appliqué and sewn-cord ornament, Zagreb, Croatia (19th and 20th centuries).

Yugoslavia

(a) Pottery from Visnjica near Kiseljak, Bosnia (19th century). (b) Design from back of a woman’s lamb’s fur jacket, Sveta Nedelja, vicinity of Zagreb, Croatia (painted and dated 1902). (c) Pottery from Visnjica near Kiseljak, Bosnia (19th century).