Sweden's Iron Heartbeat: The Bergslagsurnan

Sweden's Iron Heartbeat: The Bergslagsurnan

Operating as a tangible testament to Sweden's rich ironworking heritage, the Bergslagsurnan, sculpted by Eric Grate, stands as a symbolic milestone in Sweden's industrial advancement.

Created from gjuterijärn by the renowned Swedish artist Eric Grate, the Bergslagsurnan functions as a powerful emblem of Sweden's extensive ironworking history. Its reliefs portray different stages of iron production, from mining in Bergslagen to smelting in furnaces. These reliefs serve as a testament to the tireless work and dedication of the workers in the iron industry. Commissioned by Näfveqvarns Bruk in 1921-1922, the original price for one of these masterpieces amounted to 1,200 kronor.

The Bergslagsurnan was displayed at the international Paris Exhibition in 1925, earning Grate a silver medal. One of the best examples of the Swedish Grace style prominent in the 1920s, the Bergslagsurnan can be found in several locations, with one on John E Olsson Square in Gothenburg and another in front of Ulriksdal Palace in Solna. Another exemplar adorns Olof A Söderberg's grave on the Northern Cemetery in Solna.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nik Frost

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