Museum

Craft Museum of Finland

Craft Museum of Finland is a museum in Jyväskylä, Finland.

About Craft Museum of Finland

Overview

The Craft Museum of Finland (Suomen käsityön museo) is a national responsibility museum located in the city center of Jyväskylä. It serves as the central institution for preserving and presenting the history of Finnish craft and handicrafts. The museum functions not only as an exhibition space but also as a national center of expertise, housing the Finnish National Costume Centre and a Conservation Centre. Its mission is to tell the story of Finnish craft as part of the historical fabric, covering both traditional techniques and modern innovations in materials and design.

History & Founding

The museum's origins date back to a decision by the Imperial Senate on December 14, 1888, which allocated funds for a craft museum starting in 1890. Initially, it operated under the Finnish Art Society in connection with the Art and Industry Museum in Helsinki. From 1908 to 1926, it functioned as the State Home Industry Museum (Valtion kotiteollisuusmuseo) under the State Home Industry Office. After a period of reorganization and storage of collections from 1933 to 1982, the museum was re-established as an independent entity in Jyväskylä in 1982, opening to the public on June 10, 1983, under the name Suomen kotiteollisuusmuseo.

Collection Highlights

The museum's core collection consists of approximately 2,910 cataloged items from the period between 1906 and 1945. The majority of these holdings are textile samples, ribbons, and linens. The collection also features a significant number of woven works, including baskets, birch bark boxes, and other birch bark items. Wooden artifacts are predominantly represented by boxes, vessels, various household items, and scale models. Additionally, the museum holds an international collection of about 1,200 items, primarily from Russia, Sweden, Norway, and France, originally gathered as reference material for domestic production.

National Costume & Conservation Centers

In 1992, the Finnish National Costume Centre (Suomen kansallispukukeskus) was established within the museum, becoming a key part of its operations to support and advise on national costumes. Two years later, in 1995, the Conservation Centre (Konservointikeskus), previously maintained by the Jyväskylä Art and Science Foundation, was integrated into the museum. These centers provide expert services in textile conservation, preventive conservation, and advice on the care and preservation of craft objects for the general public and professionals.

Significance & Legacy

In 1992, the museum was designated as one of the first five national special museums in Finland, recognizing its unique role in the country's cultural heritage. The institution continues to expand its collections through donations and acquisitions, focusing on documenting the use of materials, processing techniques, and design in contemporary craft. It serves as a vital resource for understanding the evolution of Finnish craft from the 18th century to the present day, bridging historical traditions with modern digital and artistic innovations.

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Craft Museum of Finland

Artworks shown from Craft Museum of Finland are in the public domain; images via the open-access programs of their source collections. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.