In Search of the Hekne Weave
The Fascinating Tapestries of Gudbrandsdalen
On 22 March, the exhibition Impulser will be expanded with twelve iconic tapestries woven in Gudbrandsdalen. Here, visitors can explore a distinctive tapestry-weaving tradition with roots dating back to the 17th century, when Nord-Gudbrandsdalen became a central area for what is often referred to as Flemish weaving. Skilled women weavers created vividly coloured tapestries in linen and wool using a technique believed to have originated in Flanders—hence the name Flemish weaving.
The tapestries often show scenes from biblical stories and chivalric ballads. They were placed on beds, hung on walls as decoration during celebrations and festive occasions, and used to bring stories to life and pass them on through generations.
The Legend of the Hekne Sisters
The weavers are rarely known by name. As a result, legends about them and their almost magical abilities have long accompanied the tapestries. One such legend tells of two twin sisters from the Hekne farm at Dovre, who were born joined together.
The earliest written accounts of the Hekne sisters date back to the early 18th century and were recorded by the priest Stockfleth in Dovrekirkens kallsbok (the parish register of Dovre Church). Here, a woven coverlet is described as having been donated to the church by two conjoined sisters from the Hekne Farm. In local storytelling traditions, both the weavers and their tapestries have continued to live on.
Anders Sandvig, the founder of Maihaugen, recounts seeing this Hekne coverlet during one of his journeys through Gudbrandsdalen in the summer of 1887, a sight he never forgot. In more recent times, author Lars Mytting has brought the story of the two conjoined master weavers from Dovre to a wider audience through his novels The Bell in the Lake (2018), The Reindeer Hunters (2020), and The Night of the Scourge (2023).
In Search of the Hekne Weave
Was the legendary Hekne Tapestry ever found, or does it still lie hidden somewhere in Gudbrandsdalen? In the exhibition Impulser, we bring forth both the tapestries and the stories of the legendary weavers who created them.
