Sámi jewelry (duodji)

The Sámi, the Indigenous people of northern Scandinavia, call their traditional handicraft duodji. Their jewelry, made of silver, pewter thread, reindeer antler and leather, adorns the traditional costume (gákti) and expresses their identity.

Who and where #

The Sámi live in Sápmi, which spans Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. Duodji includes both useful objects and ornaments.

Materials and techniques #

• Silver, worked into brooches and pendants.
• Pewter thread, braided and embroidered on reindeer hide.
• Reindeer antler and bone, and leather.
• Glass and silver beads.

Traditional pieces and their meaning #

• Sølje: a silver brooch with dangling rings or plates worn on the costume; folk tradition holds that its jingling keeps evil spirits away.
• Pewter-thread bracelets: woven with braided thread on reindeer leather.
• Reindeer antler pendants and buttons: carved and decorated with traditional motifs.

The tradition today #

Sámi artisans keep creating duodji, and the “Sámi Duodji” label identifies authentic handicraft made by Sámi artisans. When buying, that label helps distinguish it from imitations.

See also #

• Silver
• Tin and pewter
• Horn and antler
• Leather