A new jewelry brand connects the world with parts of the Swedish soul
A personal quest for roots and a sense of belonging turned into a company devoted to give the discoveries new life in a modern form. Arva Sweden is pleased to announce the launch of its website and the first collection of contemporary jewelry.
In 2002, Stockholm-based founder Pia Ankner started exploring her heritage, both personal and cultural. The combination of a love for patterns and jewelry making and being a new mother with a desire to understand her place in life as well the inheritance we pass on, motivated her to spend many hours in the library. Some of the areas she researched were the Swedish forms and expressions of love through time, our life views and dealing with the unknown which led her to read about Swedish folk art and folk beliefs. The time period between the 17th and the 19th century were her main target.
‘Arva’ is an old form of the Swedish word ‘arv’ which means heritage. It was used in the expression arvasilver – heirloom of silver. Inherited items, especially those made of precious metals, were considered to possess magical powers, or even hold a piece of the ancestor’s spirit. When reading this, the company name and focus became clear to her. Capturing the essence of the Swedish culture in modern, genuine pieces of jewelry meant to be worn and enjoyed for years to come, inspired by patterns and beliefs from a time when magical thinking still was natural. The wish to connect the bearer with roots and symbolism, transforming the cultural treasures into items with personal value was born.
Due to family matters the sketches and prototypes were put away for more than 10 years, but in late 2012 it was time to start realizing the idea together with skilled craftsmen. The inspiration for the first collection, “Love Carvings” are wood chip carving patterns found on many decorated Swedish gifts of love. They were repeated through centuries, mainly from the 17th to the 19th century, but some date back to the 16th century.
“It’s a privilege to share our specific heritage, but it is also fascinating how universal folk art patterns and the language of symbols are, says founder Pia Ankner. The plan is to expand the product range in the future to encompass not only more jewelry collections, but also other quality products for the special occasions in life for people who appreciate lasting qualities as well as the “Swedishness” of them, e.g the over 4,5 million Swedish descendants in the US.”
Retailers are established in New York and Los Angeles. In other areas, the company is looking for representation and collaborations.
For further information contact Pia Ankner on +46-793 49 4040 | pia.ankner@arvasweden.com
