A brief history of interesting people, places and things
Henning Engelsen (1918-2005) was a Norwegian woodcarver who founded the company HENNING. He had the artistic skill to fashion his traditional and folklore characters from a piece of carefully selected and seasoned wood, and through his carvings, you come to know Norway and its culture… Continue Reading →
Between the towns of Willowmore and Uniondale in the Western Cape, drivers and motorcyclists have reported paranormal encounters with one of South Africa's most famous ghosts… Continue Reading →
When it comes to hand-carved wooden trolls, there is no one better than Norwegian woodcarver, Anton Sveen. Anton turned his attention to carving trolls early on and built a career that eventually involved his entire family in the production process… Continue Reading →
In the small village of Bamble in Norway lived an artist who made wonderful woodcarvings and books based on Norwegian culture… Continue Reading →
Ole Martin Skaug is a Norwegian artist who creates fantastic, "beautifully ugly" ceramic animals and people. One can find beauty in the grotesque and the bizarre, and humour is the key here… Continue Reading →
Erik Wengelin was a Norwegian artist, communist, and Nazi concentration camp survivor. Those that knew him described him as a wandering soul and friend to people and animals. His drawings from Sachenhausen provide first hand insight into what prisoners went through in order to survive… Continue Reading →
Finn Wigforss was a propaganda illustrator during WW2. He volunteered for the SS Norwegen and became a war correspondent on the Eastern front where he captured scenes directly from the front line… Continue Reading →
Henrik Bertram Møller was a Norwegian Goldsmith who specialised in making fine objects in dragestil (dragon style) and tendril ornamentation, often with elements of old Norse motifs from Nidaros Cathedral. He targeted the tourist market and quickly became internationally known. Magnificent pieces were ordered from rich customers and royalty around the world… Continue Reading →
The medieval Baldishol tapestry, from 1180, is a national treasure familiar to most Norwegians. It was discovered by chance and is on display at the Norwegian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design in Oslo… Continue Reading →
The Bathurst district is known for its pineapple farms, and the Big Pineapple attraction on Summerhill Farm. This area has an interesting history which dates back to the 1820 settlers and how one special fruit managed to turn things around for the struggling local farmers… Continue Reading →
Asbjørn Raanaa (Rånå) was born on 01 September 1914 in Bjorli, Norway. Not much is known of this Norwegian woodcarver or his hand carved trolls which rarely come up for sale… Continue Reading →
The life and tragic death of Thora Skolmen, a Norwegian teacher, author and women's rights activist… Continue Reading →
Arne Tjomsland was one of Norway's foremost souvenir designers in the 1950s and 60s. His designs were based on the theme of Nordic fauna; including animals, Eskimos and Vikings carved from whale tooth or wood… Continue Reading →
Violet Parkhurst is most well-known for her life-like seascape paintings of the bubbling foam-flinging seas of the world, which thunder off the shores in their wild rush for the beach. Her range of work, from the mysterious moonlit seas, to the shimmering Summer surf, was inspired by her undying thirst for life and the beauty that surrounds us everyday… Continue Reading →
Family stories of the Bauer and Rüffer German immigrant families who arrived in East London, South Africa in 1878… Continue Reading →
An exploration of the origin, meaning and history of the name "Skolmen"… Continue Reading →
Adriel Restrepo is a self taught artist specializing in psychedelic PrismaColor pencil florescent artwork that glows in the dark under a black light (ultraviolet)… Continue Reading →
Uncovering the history of the popular antique cast iron money boxes that depict the late Transvaal president, Paul Kruger… Continue Reading →
Leslie-John Albertyn was a renowned Master oil painter who specialised in painting the beautiful landscapes of Southern Africa… Continue Reading →
Kristian Skolmen was a Norwegian artist, teacher and choirmaster. His watercolour paintings depict the beautiful landscapes of Norway and to this day he is fondly remembered in places such as Kongsberg and Nordre Land where he spent most of his life… Continue Reading →
Dayne's Discoveries 