Norwegian Sámi Attire, Summer Dress from Laplanders in Finnmark, c.1860

Laplanders in Summer Dress, Tonsberg Edition, 1860s

Description:

This 19th-century chromolithograph illustrates three Sámi men in their traditional summer dress, often referred to in the period as “Laplanders.” These indigenous people of northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland are shown standing outdoors in a mountainous area, with a conical Sámi tent (lavvu) visible in the background. The setting evokes the tundra landscapes and migratory lifestyle typical of the Sámi communities during the summer months.

The men are depicted wearing light, woolen tunics called gákti, with short standing collars and detailed colored borders. The figure on the right wears a striking blue tunic trimmed in yellow and red, secured at the waist with a silver belt and braided tassels. The man in the center wears a cream-colored tunic with a red cross motif, while the youngest, to the left, is dressed in a red gákti and holds a green woolen cap. Their footwear consists of high boots or reindeer-hide shoes, and their trousers are tucked in, indicating readiness for travel or reindeer herding.

This print is Plate 14 from the series Udvalgte Norske Nationaldragter, or Selected Norwegian National Costumes. Published by Chr. Tonsberg in Christiania (Oslo) and printed by Winckelmann and Sonner in Berlin, the series was illustrated by Johan Fredrik Eckersberg. It was created during the 1860s to preserve and promote Norway’s rich variety of regional and indigenous dress at a time when national romanticism and ethnographic interest were on the rise.

The depiction of Sámi people in seasonal clothing adds an important anthropological layer to this work, making it valuable for collectors of Nordic and indigenous culture.

Condition:

Good condition with vivid colors. Some age-related staining and foxing in the margins, especially near the right edge, but the image remains clean and well defined.

Framing tips:

Frame in dark or natural wood with a wide ivory mount to minimize the visual impact of margin staining. A fine choice for collections focusing on indigenous heritage or northern cultures.