Description

This banner showcases stunning embroidery in shades of yellow, gold, green, and ivory on a backing of ivory cotton. The central design is a classical lyre surmounted by flowing white ribbons and surrounded by a circlet of oak leaves and acorns. The words Norse Male Chorus appear at the top and Minneapolis 1886 at the bottom. A valance and border of forest green velvet frames the backing and the silk embroidery. The piece is finished with a gold metallic fringe running the length of the bottom of the banner. This banner was embroidered by Thomane Fjelde Hansen, sister of sculpture Jacob (Jakob) and textile artist Pauline Fjelde. Jacob and Thomane immigrated to Minneapolis from Norway in 1887 and Pauline followed a year later, after which the sisters started a dressmaking business. By 1893 Thomane and Pauline opened a needlework studio where they specialized in design and embroidery of garments, parade banners, flags, and linens. In 1893 Thomane and Pauline were commissioned to embroider the first Minnesota state flag and their finished work won the gold for embroidery at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Fjelde lived and worked in Minneapolis until her death in 1923.