ATELIER OSMUNDSEN BRONZES FROM THE SEA

 "Restauration"   Bronze, Cast by the Artist using the Lost Wax Process   (c) William Barth Osmundsen

'Restauration'  Sculpture by Bill Osmundsen
was commissioned by the NIA, Norwegian Immigration Association, for the 175 Celebration of Norway's first emigration to the United States.

Unveiled at the Gala reception held at Ellis Island in 2000.  The sculpture was included in related exhibitions throughout the year.  When the exhibitions were concluded the 'Bronze', as planned, was auctioned in Manhattan.

Victor Samuelsen was the high bid winner and donated the sculpture to the Norwegian Seamen's Church, also located in New York City.

The 'Restauration' is on view, and is shown in the photograph above, in the second floor library of the Church.

NORWEGIAN SEAMEN'S CHURCH
317 East 52nd Street
New York, NY   10022-6302

Links:-

"To the Promised Land"

• Norwegian American Weekly;   Norway.com
• May 27, 2011

In May, storyteller Anne Elisebeth Skogen gave her performance titled 'Through Hell Gate to the Promised Land' to two lucky audiences: she visited the Norwegian Seamen's Church in New York on May 11, and Mindekirken Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 17. Her story is about the first Norwegian emigrants, who arrived in New York on Oct. 9, 1825, with the sloop Restauration.

Learn about the building of a replica Restauration in Norway

NIA 175 anniversary pin
'Sloop Restauration placed over Paper Clip'

Commemorative pin awarded to supporting donors by Norwegian Immigration Association, of 175 year Anniversary of the first Norwegian Emigration to the United States.

Gala event held at Ellis Island in 2000.

significance of design:-

Sloop 'Restauration', sometimes referred to
as the Norwegian Mayflower was the first ship since the Viking era to transport a group of Norwegians to the shores of North America.
Departing from Stavanger, Norway on July 5, 1825 their tiny sloop arrived in New York City
on Oct. 9, 1825.

The 'Paperclip',  was an important symbol of solidarity and resistance to the German occupation of Norway during WWII.  Worn as a lapel pin, because all other recognizable 'Norwegian'  images were forbidden the paperclip itself was patented by Norwegian, John Vaaler, in Germany in 1899 and the US in 1901.
 
Pin Design:- Bill Osmundsen