Skin Clothing from the North focuses on the National Museum’s unique circumpolar collection of skin artifacts from the Inuit and Aleut in Greenland, Canada and Alaska as well as the Samii in Scandinavia and Siberian people in Russia.

This interdisciplinary research program studies the skin materials, and methods of sewing, cutting and design from both the technological and anthropological viewpoints. The focus will be on the geographical use of skin materials and on cultural values such as visual communication, the importance of women in the circumpolar cultures, and the influence of commerce on the appearance and manufacture of the clothing. The aim is to show connections between the type of skin, manufacture, sewing and design on the one hand and the circumpolar people’s way of life, geographical belonging, interaction and the influence of trade on the other hand.

The circumpolar collections comprise approx. 2000 pieces of clothing, made from the skins of mammals, birds and fish. Skin Clothing from the North introduces new research; through the use of modern techniques, the species, sewing technique and pattern design of the clothing will be revealed. Digital photos of extreme sharpness will accompany each artifact.

An international network of scientists and skin experts is being established as part of the project. The network will contribute to a discussion forum on the web and several international meetings.  A catalogue of the circumpolar skin clothing and an anthology will also be released.

Responsible:  Conservator, M.Sc.  Anne Lisbeth Schmidt

 The Project is running from 2009 until 2012

Click on the picture below and watch the movie on the documentation of Arctic skin clothing