Name/Title
PhotographEntry/Object ID
2024.1.24Description
Two black-and-white photographs of Selma Jacobson creating decorative straw items at the Folk Fair at Navy Pier in Chicago in the mid to late 1960s. Selma's niece, Martha Jacobson, is being fitted a straw crown by Selma. Martha's friends, Connie and Sharon, are also in the photograph. The photographs were taken by Phil Jacobson, Martha's father.Photograph Details
Subject
Folk artSubject Person or Organization
Selma Jacobson, Martha JacobsonSubject Place
City
ChicagoState/Province
IllinoisCountry
United StatesContinent
North AmericaContext
Selma Jacobson was born in Sweden, migrated to Chicago and was heavily involved in the founding of the Swedish American Museum in Andersonville. She was a successful straw crafter and attended the Folk Fair at the Navy Pier for several years where she sold her straw work. The Folk Fair represented a large number of different countries and was attended by the Chicago Mayor. Selma's niece, Martha, would sometimes create straw items with her. Selma more than likely ordered the straw from Sweden every year. The process to produce the items required the straw to soak in water. Selma would then flatten the straw with a special stone. She used red thread to sew the items in the traditional style.
Straw has long had an important role as a craft material in Sweden. While straw is mainly known to be decorative, it was often used for roofs, insulation, rugs and flooring. The use of straw decreased during the 20th century as agricultural reforms made way for new materials.
A significant proportion of early 20th century Swedish immigrants were women. Many of these women brought with them their handicraft skills and continued to decorate with, produce, and sell straw items in the United States. Rye and wheat straw are most commonly used in handicraft. Ornaments, hats, toys, placemats and bridal crowns are some examples of women's straw work.
Swedish women's handicraft shares similarities with many other cultures across the world. Straw work is an important part and expression of identity and cultural traditions.Acquisition
Accession
2024.1Source or Donor
Found in collectionAcquisition Method
Found in collectionMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Phil JacobsonRole
PhotographerDate made
circa 1965 - 1969Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
City
ChicagoState/Province
IllinoisCountry
United StatesContinent
North AmericaLexicon
LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Handicraft, PhotographsSearch Terms
Straw work, Jacobson, SelmaRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Selma JacobsonPerson or Organization
Martha JacobsonCopyright
Copyright Details
Ownership was legally transferred to the Swedish American Museum per the gift agreement. Certain works may be protected by copyright not governed by the Swedish American Museum.Restrictions
This collection is open to research and does not contain sensitive information.Reproductions
Notes
Reproduction of the Museum's archives for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires written permission.
