Abstract
This paper deals with choices of wood species in the 14th centurypolychrome sculptures in the diocese of Turku (Åbo), Finland, theeasternmost part of the Swedish Realm in the Middle Ages. The aim ofthe article is to draw an overall picture of the wood use in sculptureand discuss the emergence of the local workshops in the diocese.This is done by presenting new wood definitions and by taking theseinto account the when analysing the sculptures’ style and form.The emphasis on the research is on sculptures previously definedas carved from birch and which thus are determined as Finnish orNordic of their origin. The methods for defining the wood specieshave been ocular observation and microscopy analysis. The choiceof wood is approached from the perspective of the wood speciesavailability in the area and suitability for carving. The results of theinvestigation indicate that in addition to oak, and instead of birch,particularly alder (Alnus) was used in the locally manufactured sacralsculptures, and in some cases using oak sculptures as models. Alderwas possibly favored due to its good availability and inexpensivenessas well as workability. It can, however not be ruled out, that sculpturesof alder may have been imported to the bishopric as well.
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