This cabinet card came to me from Spokane, Washington, but it has nothing written or printed on it to indicate its origin. The costumes might be Norwegian (or Norwegian-American). The faded sepia print doesn’t do them justice, but it’s all that remains of their beauty and artistry.
Tokens of Companionship 
It could be a Norwegian family, or perhaps Danish. The woman wearing what I’m sure is a bridal crown (traditional in Sweden, too) is holding a piece of what appears to be Hardanger embroidery, and that was popular in both Norwegian and Danish cultures. It still is, actually — and it’s quite difficult to do. I have some of my mother’s Hardanger cloth and threads, and there’s not a chance in the world I’m ever going master them.
Just as American girls would do “fancy work” for their hope chests, Scandinavian girls would show off their expertise with a needle by creating such “show” pieces. This might well be a photo of a bride and her family.
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I thought she was probably Norwegian, and probably a bride, so your comments were very helpful, Linda. I also wondered about the four other women in costume. Would they have participated in the wedding, like bridesmaids? Two look like they were about the same age as the bride, and two roughly the age of the bride’s parents (so possibly her mother and an aunt, or two aunts). I wonder if that was by chance or if the roles were prescribed by tradition.
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I think you are right about the costumes. In the 1880’s there was a major influx of Scandinavians. An interesting fact. By 1920, every 20th inhabitant of Seattle was Norwegian-born or born in America of Norwegian parents
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Very interesting! When I was reading about the history of Seattle Pacific College a couple of years ago, I learned that one of the founding families was from Norway (the Petersons, who donated the land for the school).
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I guess, given the stats, we shouldn’t be too surprised.
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Amazing hats on those ladies! Wonderful image!
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I wasn’t sure if the white hats were Norwegian. I guess there were a lot of different styles. Thanks, Shayne!
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The embroidery is so beautiful! A rather somber group; except for the bride. 🙂
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My alternate title was “Solemn festivity.” Thank goodness the bride has a hint of a smile, or we might think everyone considered the wedding a bad idea!
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Yep, Linda (Shoreacres) is right. Norwegian wedding. Have a look here: https://wingsofwhimsy.wordpress.com/2017/03/19/norwegian-sunday-bridal-crowns-part-v-photography/ and at one specific photo from that post: https://wingsofwhimsy.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/hardanger2c.jpg
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That’s a great page you found, Val. Thanks for sharing the links, so that readers can see what the costumes in my photo might look like if the photo hadn’t faded so much!
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I do like what shoreacres is saying.
It does look like the bride is carrying Hardanger embroidery and that embroidery may also be a part of her wonderful white ‘apron’.
She does seem to be wearing a bridal crown. When I first looked at this photo, I thought that the design of the Norwegian bridal crown had been enhanced by native American design. But that is probably too fanciful on my part and this was probably a conservative people like any other group of immigrants.
What a photo of the hierachy of a family!. Thanks! Sarah
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The way they’re posed on the steps does suggest a hierarchy, although it was probably done to put the costumes in front. The whole thing seems impromptu. There’s something a little sad and touching about the old guy alone at the top, but it’s nice to see three generations together in the photo.
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What a fascinating photograph! (It cries out for Val’s restorative touch.)
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Val would have her hands full with this one!
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Thank you, Liz!
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An amazing photo. Such a contrast of style. I think they look ‘quietly proud’.
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Thanks, Tracey! I wondered about the stern faces. Fortunately the bride’s slightly amused expression tells us she was OK with the whole thing (and probably ready to get on with it). “Quietly proud” is a nice way to put it!
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I’m captivated by this lovely cabinet card! To be honest I like it in the faded sepia just as it is. In my mind’s eye I know it’s an extraordinarily colorful moment. But, this allows me the charm of the lines and textures and beautiful faces. It’s really wonderful Brad! Thank you 😊
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You make a great point, Suzanne, about being able to focus on the lines and textures without being dazzled by color, as we would undoubtedly have been if we could have seen these costumes in person. It’s also fair to say that the folks in regular clothes would have seemed very drab by comparison. Thanks so much! 😊
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I love how the people in the photo are arranged. Gorgeous clothes, too! I think this is a remarkable photograph.
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Thank you, Ruth! I know how busy you’ve been with the Reel Infatuation Blogathon, so it’s kind of you to stop by. I read a few of the entries–they were terrific!
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