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This stunning early 18th-century ambar (container/bucket) captivated me from the moment I stepped through the old yellow door of the Monk House at the Ringerikes Museum in Norway.
It's become my favorite piece of applied art, and since I have the privilege of working part-time at the museum, we get to hang out daily. And sometimes, I get the feeling it wants to speak to me like it has some old secret to share. And maybe it does.
Join me as I explore the history of the Norwegian ambar, mostly used to carry porridge and dairy products, and reveal the hidden meanings of the heathen protection symbols that sometimes adorn these beautifully decorated wooden containers.
Norway's Antique Ambar's: A Treasure Trove of History, Folk Art, Porridge, and Dairy Products
The word ambar has a mysterious origin, but it could be related to the Greek word "amphora," a type of ancient jar. Alternatively, it might have come from the French word "chambre," meaning a room or a chamber. And some scholars claim it comes from Germany. But all of this is up in the air. Nobody really knows.
But I can tell you that an ambar (also called dall or tine) is a wooden container with a cylindrical shape and three or four support legs. The bottom is tightly sealed, and the lid, secured by two long sticks, can be lifted off. The handle on the top makes it easy to carry around. It's a great example of traditional folk art from Norway.
Photos: modified with permission from Ringerikes Museum
An ambar had three or four legs, depending on its purpose. You can easily distinguish the ambars used exclusively for porridge, as they had only three legs to stand on. The ambars with four legs were bigger and more versatile, and they generally stored butter, cream, cheese, or milk.
Ambars were adorned with various designs either burned, carved, or painted onto the wood. The decorations often featured Christian symbols, floral patterns, animal figures, or ancient magical symbols thought to ward off evil spirits.
Ambars were Usually Made Spill and Leak-Proof by Applying One or Two of These Techniques:
Binding the container together with wooden hoops, just like you see on barrels that store wine or whiskey
Sveiping: is a term used to describe a traditional technique of bending wood by making shallow cuts along the grain and then steaming or soaking the wood until it becomes flexible. The ends of the bent wood are then sewn together with twine.
The lid also had to seal the container snugly, or else the precious contents would go to waste. Is this where the saying "Don't cry over spilled milk" comes from? These methods were not easy to master. They took years of practice and were passed down from generation to generation.
The Ambar: A Norwegian Wooden Wonder with a Fascinating History
As mentioned, ambars are traditional wooden containers used in Norway and other European countries for storing and carrying dairy products, such as milk, butter, cream, cheese, and porridge. But they were also used as shepherd boys' and girls' lunchboxes and as gifts for weddings, funerals, or new mothers. The owner's initials or names are commonly found inside the lid.
Theodor Kittelsen (1857 - 1914), a beloved Norwegian artist known for his drawings of Norwegian myths and legends, often painted scenes of nature, animals, trolls, and other mythical creatures. But one of his recurring themes was the porridge women, or "grautkjerringer" as they are called in Norwegian. These women brought porridge as a gift to new mothers or people who were sick or in need. They wore traditional costumes called bunader and carried baskets and beautifully decorated ambars containing porridge. Kittelsen portrayed them as kind and helpful but also mysterious and magical.
Some ambars were richly decorated, as the old woman in the drawing is carrying, while others were simple and plain. But did you know many ambars also had magical protection symbols painted, carved, or burned on them? These symbols were meant to keep away evil spirits, diseases, and misfortunes from those who owned or used the ambars.
The Secrets of Norwegian Ambars: How They Used Symbols to Protect Themselves from Evil
What makes ambars really fascinating is that many of them had symbols on them that were meant to ward off evil. Even though Norway was officially a Christian country, the old folklore and beliefs still lingered in the air because everything that was not normal was considered dangerous and a threat. Therefore, people used various methods to protect themselves from the dangers of evil, including ancient symbols with magical powers.
One of the ways they decorated unpainted wooden objects was by burning the symbols into the wood. This method is called svidekor in Norwegian and has been used in folk art and applied art, like the mangle board, since the bronze age.
The craftsmen used burning irons with different shapes to create the patterns and symbols on the wood. Sometimes, they added colors to the burned decor, making the ambar even more eye-catching. Just like the ambar shown below. Other times, it would just be left as is.
In the olden days and well into the 19th century, people believed these symbols could protect them from supernatural spirits, witches, ghosts, disease, and death. The symbols, some dating back to the Norse culture, had a complex form that evil couldn't pass or penetrate. Ambars depicting Christian motifs do exist, but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry...
If you decide to visit the museum, I assure you that you will always find my favorite magical ambar on display, waiting to captivate you with its secrets.
Uncover the Hidden Treasures of Ringerikes Museum, the Monk’s House, and its Curiosities
Ringerikes Museum, an old vicarage dating back to 1636, is an inspiring place to visit, full of curiosities and stories from bygone eras. For over three centuries, this elegant house was the residence of the local parish priest until it became a museum in the late 1950s.
It's open for visitors during the summer months from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., June through August. You can also treat yourself to authentic Norweigan waffles, which are super delicious!
At the museum, you can discover fantastic stories from the past. Learn how Anna Colbjørnsdatter, the brave priest's wife and a true heroine, helped to defeat the Swedish invaders at Norderhov in 1716 and how the famous Norwegian fairy tale collectors Jørgen Moe and Per Christen Asbjørnsen met for the first time in the Monk's House where you also can admire the black and white ambar shown above.
And don't get me started on the kitchen that was added in 1729. This room is filled with the echoes of the past, the lively conversations, the hearty laughs, the heated arguments, and the juicy gossip that has taken place here.
Once I finish digging up the fascinating facts about Monk House and the 1729 kitchen. I will share these articles with you. I can't wait, so stay tuned :) If you want to be alerted, sign up here.
On a last note: You will be amazed by the assortment, creativity, and variation of these wooden national treasures. Are you curious to see more examples of beautiful and unique antique ambars? Then check out Norway's Digital Museum. You won't regret it!
