#helene cathrine büchler
Yesterday I did a special guided tour on a remarkable woman from the 18th century - Helene Cathrine Büchler (1740-1831).
Though no portrait is known of her, tons of surviving items exists, both at the manor she lived, and in museums. The biggest surprise and coolest thing is that the fabric from her wedding skirt is still at the manor. I was allowed to pull it out for the guided tour yesterday, and it’s the most beautiful thing - a floral ivory damask embroidered with ornate flowers and leafs on the hem.
Some weeks ago I found an archive photo of it from the 1960s, and I was devastated to see the skirt was fully intact, perfectly preserved - and then someone decided to remove pleats and back seam and attach it to a wooden frame. That’s how it is today.
A big chunk on fabric is missing on top, and until yesterday I’ve been in doubt of whether they actually cut off the top or just folded it in. But I did a small examination before the tour, and there is a distinct “lump” telling me they just folded it in. Which in short means this 1762 wedding skirt can be restored to its former glory, and that’s the coolest thing ever!
Here’s some sneak peeks of how the skirt is today, on its wooden frame, along with some closeups of the gorgeous silk embroidery.
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From the jewellery box of Helene Cathrine Büchler of Linderud Manor, Oslo
This was her wedding present when she married Mogens Larsen Monsen in 1762. It consists of a wooden box with silver boxes for hair pins, pomades etc, and a silver mirror. Inside two jewellery sets; one with rock crystals in Regènce style, the other with opalized glass in a lighter, floral Rococo style. In addition monogrammed rings, shoe buckles, a fan and various chains.
The jewellery box remained in the family at Linderud for almost 250 years, until it was eventually bought by Kunstindustrimuseet/Nasjonalmuseet in Oslo in 1994. You can see more detailed photos of the whole set here:
http://samling.nasjonalmuseet.no/no/object/OK-1994-0201
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Linderud Manor in the outskirts of Oslo
The manor was owned by the same family for some 300 years, and has both an amazing history and amazing items - especially from the 18th century when the prominent couple Mogens Larsen Monsen and Helene Cathrine Büchler inhabited the place. Here’s some favourites!
- Tea set for two, from Royal Copenhagen ca. 1788. A gift to the Monsen couple from the Danish-Norwegian crown prince Frederik.
- Banyan made of Spitalfields silk, 1750-60. Worn by Mogens Larsen Monsen (today in The National Museum).
- Miniature portrait of Mogens Larsen Monsen, ca. 1780.
- Robe a la Francaise, 1770s. Comes from Linderud, was probably worn by Helene Cathrine Büchler (today in The National Museum).
- The reconstructed Baroque hall, 1713-20, at Lindreud.
- The wedding present from husband to wife: a wooden box with two complete jewellery sets (parure), fan, toothpick, a mirror plus silver boxes for hairpins, pomades etc (today in The National Museum).
- Closeup of one of the jewellery sets, 1762
- Salute cannons, 1790s
- A huge class cup with engraving “Welcome to Linderud”, used for toasting ceremonies. Made by Nøstetangen in the 1760s.
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