ARTEFACT GALLERY #2.12
Pulmavaip
Proposed by: Ave Matsin (Lecturer in Estonian Native Textiles)
University of Tartu



Technical Specifications
Name
Pulmavaip / Wedding carpet
Tipology
Textiles, carpet, weaving
Authorship
Christi Kütt
Date or period:
2022
Materials:
Linen, wool
Techniques:
Weaving, supplementary weft float brocading technique (naastpõime) and interlocking tapestry weave technique (pindpõime)
Country/ region:
Viljandi, Estonia
Related links:
Eesti Käsitöö. 2021. Vaiba kudumine pindpõime tehnikas. https://youtu.be/Ejw2RlJW_xU?si=1I5o-VT1A5w8vUsh.
Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 2024a. Liina Veskimägi-Iliste: Christi Küti põimevaibad jutustavad erilisi lugusid. https://eeter.err.ee/1609314954/liina-veskimagi-iliste-christi-kuti-poimevaibad-jutustavad-erilisi-lugusid.
Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 2024b. Pärnus avatud Christi Küti vaibanäitus uurib eestluse olemust. https://kultuur.err.ee/1609485889/parnus-avatud-christi-kuti-vaibanaitus-uurib-eestluse-olemust.
Postimees. 2024. Galerii ⟩ Christi Küti etnograafiliselt pulmavaibalt leiab kõrvuti hobuse ja Facebooki. https://parnu.postimees.ee/8112642/galerii-christi-kuti-etnograafiliselt-pulmavaibalt-leiab-korvuti-hobuse-ja-facebooki.
Postimees. 2025. CHRISTI KÜTT ⟩ Käsitöömeister peidab vaipadesse hõbedat. https://sakala.postimees.ee/8215250/christi-kutt-kasitoomeister-peidab-vaipadesse-hobedat.
Woven carpets used to play an important role at traditional Estonian weddings. Considered a jewel of the bride’s dowry, they were not only appreciated as an exquisite decoration but were also linked to the wedding symbolism, accompanying the rites of passage blessed by wishes for happiness, well-being, and good luck in the newlyweds’ future life. In her work, Christi Kütt, the author of the piece, uses natural materials and traditional techniques, drawing inspiration from old patterns. However, she admits that since she wove her first wedding carpet in 1998, the world and people have changed a lot. In her recent works, including this one, she has been looking for symbols and patterns that could reflect the contemporary meaning of Estonianness, arranging them into new original compositions. For Christi, sitting at the loom and weaving a carpet is an opportunity to tell a story – about dreams, hopes, love, about everyday routine and festive occasions.
DETAILS
Detailed view of the wedding carpet. Photo by Eesti Rahvakunsti ja Käsitöö Liit.
Detailed view of the wedding carpet. Photo by Eesti Rahvakunsti ja Käsitöö Liit.
Inspiration
Carpet, ERM A 509:2572, Eesti Rahva Muuseum.
Carpet, ERM A 631:32, Eesti Rahva Muuseum.
Location
The selection of this artefact is the responsibility of designer Maria Bruno Néo and is part of her doctoral work ‘A HISTÓRIA INCOMPLETA DO DESIGN PORTUGUÊS: CONTRIBUTOS PARA A INSCRIÇÃO DA DESIGNER HELENA CARDOSO/THE INCOMPLETE HISTORY OF PORTUGUESE DESIGN: CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INSCRIPTION OF DESIGNER HELENA CARDOSO’ supervised by Professors Susana Barreto and Luís Mendonça, both from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Porto/Portugal.