Creation Date

1798

Description

Wallpaper: Original painted linen wall covering from Sweden, 1798. The woven linen is brown. It is approximately 11 7/8" wide at its widest spot and approximately 11 1/2" high at its highest spot. The linen is painted on one side. The whole side is painted off white. There is an approximately 1 3/4" wide blue border at the bottom with a black stripe at the top of the border. There is a "V" shaped vine from the center of the border up. The vine has blue leaves outlined in black with four orangish red berries. Condition - The paint is coming off in areas. The paint is craking in areas. There are a few spots where the paint is completely off, revealing the linen. There is a hole in the linen on the middle left edge. There is a small hole on the top left edge. There are light black spots and marks.

The painted linen wall covering was in a home in Honetorp, Smaland, Sweden. The wall covering was bought in 1798. It was brought over to the U.S. and was taped inside a cabinet. Mrs. Arthur (Helen) Velander of Vasa wrote, "Painted linen, original wall covering in my grandparents' home, bought in 1798. Honetorp, Smaland, Sweden." The donor's (Sharon Velander) mother-in-law's grandparents had the linen and brought it over to the U.S..

Helen Ekblad (Eckblad) Velander (2/25/1909-2/10/1974) was married to Arthur Velander (11/17/1892-12/5/1984). They farmed in Sections 5 & 8 in Vasa Township. Helen's parents were John (5/4/1868-11/11/1957) and Eva (6/16/1880-11/19/1913) Ekblad. John's second wife was Mary (1/31/1873-3/8/1930). John and Eva farmed in Featherstone Township. John's parents were Magnus (4/20/1839-12/27/1909) and Hustri Ingrid (8/10/1842-12/29/1928) Ekblad. The donor (Sharon Velander) is married to John Velander who was the son of ARthur and Helen Velander. The donor was called on 7/23/2012 for more information about the wall covering. She stated that she thought it came from Eva Ekblad's parents. She and her husband John did not know Eva's maiden name. Richard L. Johnson (ID #1649) came into the museum on 7/26/2012. He is related to the Velander/Ekblad family. He stated that Eva Ekblad's maiden name was Gustafson. He said that Eva's parents likely did not live in Vasa Township. He thought it was probable that the wall covering came from Eva's parents. He also gave more family history information. John Ekblad remarried after Eva died. His second wife Mary (1/31/1873 - 3/8/1930) was from Sweden. John went back to Sweden and brought Mary back with him to Vasa Township. Helen Ekblad stayed with her father and was raised by him and her aunts. Helen's sister Ingrid (Evelyn) Ekblad (1912-?) was adopted by Esther and Ed Pearson (sp?) in Vesta, Minnesota. John Ekblad's mother was Hustri Ingrid Ekblad and her parents were John and Katherine Pearson (sp?).