Exercise: Learning the symbolism

Each heritage item preserves symbols which reflect feelings, thoughts and popular beliefs. Knowing these symbols and their meanings is part of the work of folk artists who succeed in passing them on to new generations. This is an example of working with a heritage expert in different ways and at different stages of learning about heritage.

Name of the exercise: The symbolism of Saxon painted furniture.

Working method: Presentation with explanations and examples.

Aim of this exercise: To gain knowledge of the symbolism of the ornaments and chromaticism of the Saxon painted furniture repertoire. Painting workshop participants need to understand what they are painting, what is the meaning of patterns they have seen. When they better understand the symbolism of shapes, colours, they better understand the heritage value of the craft as a whole.

Ideal number of participants: 10–20 participants

Duration: 1–2 hours.

Materials needed: Pieces of furniture, 2–3 patterns on wood, board, templates on paper.

Exercise description: The artist explains two models in concrete terms, referring to the history of painted furniture in Europe and to the circulation of European style influences in the formation and customization of the traditional Saxon style.

Hints for the trainer: When the participants have previously mastered the technique they will become more open and curious to learn theoretical information about the history of the tradition.