Emil Cedercreutz ja Maahengen temppeli

Emil Cedercreutz (1879-1949) was a Finnish sculptor and prolific collector of vernacular artefacts from his native region of Satakunta. In the early 1910s, he began planning a museum to house his extensive collection. Dubbed ‘The Temple of the Earth Spirit’, the museum was built alongside Cedercreutz’s artist residence, ‘Harjula’, in the town of Harjavalta, between 1916 and 1942.

Comprising both utilitarian artefacts and folk art, the collection is today housed in a purpose-built museum constructed between the 1970s and 1990s by the Emil Cedercreutz Foundation. The new exhibit honours Cedercreutz’s original idea of presenting Finnish vernacular heritage in a rich and visually engaging display.

This volume authored by ethnologist Jukka Relas and illustrated with photographs by Niclas Warius presents the Temple of the Earth Spirit and its collection, which both form part of the Emil Cedercreutz Museum. The Temple of the Earth Spirit is owned by the Emil Cedercreutz Foundation and is operated by the City of Harjavalta. The museum complex comprises the Harjula artist residence, an art museum, and a sculpture park.