Forests and Waters
A joint exhibition on the history of Estonian jewellery by jewellery artist Kärt Summatavet and Estonia’s oldest goldsmith company Roman Tavast in the participatiion hall of the Estonian National Museum.
The exhibition is open in the participation hall of the Estonian National Museum at the permanent exhibition ‘Encounters’ from 21 October 2023 to 31 March 2024.
The idea for the exhibition – contemporary jewellery rooted in national heritage – emerged from the need to understand and value Estonian jewellery art in the new temporal context of modern issues. Our jewellery art is firmly based on a deep respect for local spiritual heritage.
Estonian jewellery artists and metalsmiths have created works based on national heritage across different periods – always in a unique way and at a high artistic level. Among them are a number of highly experienced artists who, in their artistic creations, skilfully combine folk art motifs with intricate craftsmanship. Some of them are daring innovators. Some are free interpreters of universal themes. Others are harmonisers of the relationship between man and nature, values and the future.
During challenging times, the role of the artist becomes especially prominent. An artist is able to reveal the values and harmony hidden within the vast realms of imagination and cognition, which are often overshadowed by the commotion of daily life. Metalsmiths use fire, water, air, materials and tools to shape mental space and forge new realms of meaning. Jewellery artists reveal the human desire for strength and beauty, delicacy and ardour.
The exhibition features four thematic displays that shed light on the history of Estonian jewellery art, from prehistory to present day.
1600 PRIMORDIAL LANDSCAPE is a source of inspiration and a set of values that various generations of jewellery masters from prehistory to present day have conceptualised and interpreted in the spirit of their time. The earliest beliefs associated with jewellery date back to pre-Viking Middle Iron Age jewellery and extend through the folk jewellery culture of the early 20th century. The primordial landscape display comprises the jewellery collection of the Estonian National Museum.
60 PRIMEVAL COGNITION is an author’s contemplation, dedicated to the deeper meaning of jewellery, that explores Finno-Ugric roots and harmony with nature. The new collection ‘Serpent King’ serves as a celebration of the 60th birthday of Kärt Summatavet. To gain insight into spirituality and cognition, and the deeper meaning and language of symbols inherited from our ancestors, the curator has invited several artists from Finland and Estonia to the exhibition to offer both inspiration and new food for thought.
100 WORKSHOP is a tribute to the craftsmanship and traditions in modern professional jewellery culture, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Roman Tavast, the flagship company of the Estonian jewellery industry. A century of experience highlights the knowledge and skills that have stood the test of time and serve as valuable examples from the past that help shape the future.
20 HARMONY showcases the novel creations of high-level contemporary Estonian jewellery artists and metalsmiths, all of which are centred around the exhibition theme or have been completed within the last five years. The author of the most outstanding new piece of jewellery will be awarded the XX Roman Tavast Scholarship of the Estonian National Culture Foundation.
Exhibition team:
Curator: Kärt Summatavet
Designer: Mae Kivilo
Estonian National Museum: Reet Mark, Arvi Tragel, Lauri Tamm, Sirje Madisson
Main sponsor of the exhibition: Roman Tavast
The exhibition was supported by: the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki
The idea for the exhibition – contemporary jewellery rooted in national heritage – emerged from the need to understand and value Estonian jewellery art in the new temporal context of modern issues. Our jewellery art is firmly based on a deep respect for local spiritual heritage.
Estonian jewellery artists and metalsmiths have created works based on national heritage across different periods – always in a unique way and at a high artistic level. Among them are a number of highly experienced artists who, in their artistic creations, skilfully combine folk art motifs with intricate craftsmanship. Some of them are daring innovators. Some are free interpreters of universal themes. Others are harmonisers of the relationship between man and nature, values and the future.
During challenging times, the role of the artist becomes especially prominent. An artist is able to reveal the values and harmony hidden within the vast realms of imagination and cognition, which are often overshadowed by the commotion of daily life. Metalsmiths use fire, water, air, materials and tools to shape mental space and forge new realms of meaning. Jewellery artists reveal the human desire for strength and beauty, delicacy and ardour.
The exhibition features four thematic displays that shed light on the history of Estonian jewellery art, from prehistory to present day.
1600 PRIMORDIAL LANDSCAPE is a source of inspiration and a set of values that various generations of jewellery masters from prehistory to present day have conceptualised and interpreted in the spirit of their time. The earliest beliefs associated with jewellery date back to pre-Viking Middle Iron Age jewellery and extend through the folk jewellery culture of the early 20th century. The primordial landscape display comprises the jewellery collection of the Estonian National Museum.
60 PRIMEVAL COGNITION is an author’s contemplation, dedicated to the deeper meaning of jewellery, that explores Finno-Ugric roots and harmony with nature. The new collection ‘Serpent King’ serves as a celebration of the 60th birthday of Kärt Summatavet. To gain insight into spirituality and cognition, and the deeper meaning and language of symbols inherited from our ancestors, the curator has invited several artists from Finland and Estonia to the exhibition to offer both inspiration and new food for thought.
100 WORKSHOP is a tribute to the craftsmanship and traditions in modern professional jewellery culture, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Roman Tavast, the flagship company of the Estonian jewellery industry. A century of experience highlights the knowledge and skills that have stood the test of time and serve as valuable examples from the past that help shape the future.
20 HARMONY showcases the novel creations of high-level contemporary Estonian jewellery artists and metalsmiths, all of which are centred around the exhibition theme or have been completed within the last five years. The author of the most outstanding new piece of jewellery will be awarded the XX Roman Tavast Scholarship of the Estonian National Culture Foundation.
Exhibition team:
Curator: Kärt Summatavet
Designer: Mae Kivilo
Estonian National Museum: Reet Mark, Arvi Tragel, Lauri Tamm, Sirje Madisson
Main sponsor of the exhibition: Roman Tavast
The exhibition was supported by: the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki
TICKET INFORMATION
- Access from A entrance.
- The exhibition is located in the participation hall at the permanent exhibition ‘Encounters’.
- A ticket for the permanent exhibition ‘Encounters’ must be purchased from the information desk (€7 or €5). Admission is free with the Museum Card.