In the 1880s a dragon got loose in Norway. Actually it was more like hundreds of dragons got loose. You could see them peaking out under the eaves of churches, ski chalets and homes. Their sinewy forms wrapped around wooden roofs and stone arches.
These sly serpents weren’t just confined to architecture. They could be found on jewelry, goblets, vases, plates and more. Known as Dragestil – Dragon Style – it was an expression of Romantic nationalism and remained popular through 1910.
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The inspiration of Dragestil style was the viking and medieval art and architecture found in Scandinavia. Of great inspiration were a number of medieval Christian churches. Called Stave churches, these early buildings were post and lintel construction. The loadbearing pine posts were called stav (in Modern Norwegian) giving them their name. While found throughout Europe most of the surviving Stave churches are now found in Norway.
Another great inspiration for Dragestil style was the discovery of buried viking ships at Tune, Gokstad and Oseberg. Built around 900 A.D. the ships showcased the beauty of viking art in their carving and construction as well as items found with the ships.
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Draegstil features Norse motifs including serpents and dragons. One of the major proponents of Draegstil style was Henrik Møller (1858-1937), a Norwegian silversmith from Trondheim, Norway. Much of his work was inspired by the designs he found on early architecture of his native Trondheim.
Moller's clients included a number of Europe's ruling houses. Today examples of his silverwork can be found in the Kunstindustrimuseet (Museum of Arts) in Oslo and the Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum in Trondheim.
This purse is one of his creations. It is stamped H. Moeller and Trondhiem 830. On the front and back it features designs inspired by carvings done on the Nidaros cathedral in Trondheim. The Nidaros Cathedral was built in the 11th Century over the burial site of Saint Olav (former King of Norway and now patron saint). It is the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world.
The purse was made sometime between 1900s and 1920s. On the front of the silver frame is a king with wings and serpents with the faces of men. On the back is a strange Janus type figure. Inside the engraving looks like Viking style woodworking with a small serpent with a human face who functions like a lock.
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