“Wedding Procession” Raffle

Congratulations to the winners—Eric Alan of Connecticut won the carving and Suzanne Christian of Colorado won the color print of the carving!

This exquisite twelve-piece hand-carved and hand-painted work of art was donated by Vanberia, in Decorah, Iowa. Vesterheim thanks Vanberia for this generous gift. Vesterheim is also grateful to committee members from the newly formed and highly successful annual event ‘Deck the Tables' for the role they played in obtaining this carving from Vanberia."The success of the 'Deck the Tables' event was due to tremendous local and area support and participation," said Vesterheim Executive Director Steve Johnson. "Vesterheim is proud of its unique role in the vibrancy of the Decorah community, and looks forward to continue building a strong relationship with friends in Decorah and beyond," Johnson continued.

The drawing was held during Vesterheim's Benefit Auction, Friday evening, Oct.19, 2012, at the Hotel Winneshiek.

The Wedding Procession, by HENNING of Norway, is an exceptional carving that brings to life the beauty and significance of a traditional Norwegian wedding procession. It is valued at $5,000 and Vesterheim has a similar piece in its collections. The procession, led by the fiddler and master of ceremonies, includes the bride and groom, parents, and guests. Eleven separately carved figures on horses are mounted on a solid-wood base. The base is fifty-five inches long and four and one half inches wide, and the figures are approximately eight and one half inches tall.

Henning Engelsen (1918-2005), a talented woodcarver, opened his first workshop in 1947. By the 1960s, his carvings of animals, trolls, Vikings, and scenes from folklore and everyday life had become popular as souvenirs for export. Today, HENNING remains a family business and is located near Kapp on Lake Mjøsa in eastern Norway. Henning's daughter Christl is a painter, daughter Angela is a designer, and son-in-law Bjarne is a carver.