| This is an example of a rosemalling platter. Rosemaling is a beautiful "Old World" Style of decorative painting. The art form traces its roots to Norway of the 18th and 19th centuries where the people decorated their homes, furnitures and other possessions with this exquisite, painterly look.
The word Rosemaling can be broken down simply-to "Rosa" which means to decorate and "maling" which means painting. There are many types and styles of Rosemaling found in Norway as each county or region had its own painters with different styles. Two of the more popular styles are from the areas of Rogaland and Telemark. Rogaland is very symmetrical and will have a geometric design radiating out from a central point. Telemark is easily recognized for the glorious "C" and "S" shaped scrolls and free form flowers. This style is usually asymmetrical in design.
Which type do you think this platter is?
Additional Resources:
http://www.rosemaling.org/history%20of%20rosemaling.html History of Rosemaling
http://www.rosemaling.org/styles.html Different styles of rosemaling
http://www.deltacrafts.com/Paint/DecPainting/rosemaling.asp Step by step instructions for beginning rosemaling.
http://www.teachartathome.com/Rosemaling.html Lesson plan for teaching rosemaling
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