HENNING – Traditions and folklore carved by hand in Norway

Henning Engelsen was born on 5 February 1918 in Sandefjord, Norway. For many years he had shown great talent in fine arts and at some point worked as an illustrator. He later said that it was by coincidence that woodcarving caught his attention.

In 1947, Henning carved his first pieces at a nature reserve in Rondane, Norway and founded the wood carving company HENNING. In 1950 he built the workshop which was given a personal style and became an inspirational workplace for Henning and his employees.

 

 

Giving his name to his carvings, Henning Engelsen was the creative force behind HENNING from the very beginning. His idea was to create a world of wood-carved figures that radiate joy and humanity and inspire us to rise above the ordinary.

Henning found his inspiration in creating his own visual world, both out of the mystical and supernatural Norwegian folklore, as well as his everyday life at home; the people, animals and rampant nature. All of these aspects can be seen in his rich manifold production that counts hundreds of different motives, illustrating Norse Gods, trolls, Vikings, animals and everyday Norwegian life.

 

 

His gift was rare; a combination of a creative mind and imagination that gave birth to his many characters. He had the artistic skill to fashion them from a piece of carefully selected and seasoned wood. Henning chose the subjects he knew best, and through his carvings, you come to know Norway and its culture.

During the 1950s and 1960s, HENNING grew steadily and was at one point the leading enterprise on the Norwegian souvenir market, exporting large scale to the US and growing with more than twenty employees.

Henning Engelsen ran HENNING with great success until 1988.

HENNING carvings are most often stamped under the base with the following text: ”*HENNING* Carved by hand in Norway” or sometimes only ”Carved by hand in Norway”.

Below is a slideshow of some of the carvings created by HENNING:

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Henning Engelsen passed away on 8 September 2005. Today HENNING is still family-owned and run by two of his three daughters; Christl Engelsen, Angelina Engelsen and his son-in-law, Bjarne Espedal, who continue along the path masterfully prepared by Henning Engelsen and keep his manifold production alive. (Source: Henning Engelsen Wikipedia).

”Working by their father’s side since an early age and later entering renowned schools of art in both Norway and Germany, the two daughters have not only prolonged Engelsen’s lifetime achievement, they have also added their generations touch to the unique heritage. Stylistically their additions are typical Scandinavian, both traditional and forward-looking, yet unique pieces of artistic craftsmanship and design” (Source: Henning Norwegian Woodcarving).

 

 

 

 

All the carving and painting is still done by hand at the workshop in Kapp, Norway, which is open to visitors. Every year before Christmas, the Engelsen family opens their home to customers.

Their little shop, MESTERSTUEN is located in a small timber house dating back to the 17th century, about 300 meters from the workshop. It is an embodiment of true Norwegian authenticity, filled with a heartwarming sincerity and artistic craftsmanship on the highest level.

About the Author

Born in East London, South Africa, Dayne Skolmen developed a passion for writing articles in his early 20s. His favourite subjects to write about are interesting people, places, and items from the past. With every article he writes, he discovers all the details about his subjects and pieces them together to form a brief history for you to enjoy.

For more articles visit Dayne’s Discoveries Blog, like Dayne’s Discoveries Facebook Page to keep updated with new publications, join the HENNING – Norwegian Woodcarving Facebook group, or Contact Dayne to share any information, stories, or photographs regarding the history of HENNING woodcarvings.