This exhibition brings together a selection of knives and spoons from the Sami culture, an indigenous people of the Arctic regions of Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula.

Far more than just everyday objects, these pieces embody ancestral know-how passed down from generation to generation, where utility is combined with a remarkable aesthetic standard.

At the heart of this tradition is duodji – traditional Sami craftsmanship.
Based on the use of local natural resources such as wood, reindeer antler, bone, horn, and leather, duodji gives rise to objects designed to meet specific needs while expressing the identity, lifestyle, and environment of their creator. The forms, materials, and decorations bear witness to an intimate relationship with nature, founded on respect for resources, ingenuity, and sustainability.

Knives occupy an essential place in the daily life of the Sami. Indispensable for outdoor activities, reindeer herding, fishing or working with materials, they are also personal objects, often custom-made and sometimes given as gifts on the occasion of significant events.

The carefully sculpted spoons reflect the same search for harmony between functionality and artistic expression.

Reindeer are central to Sami culture, both materially and symbolically. For centuries, they have been an essential resource, providing food, clothing, and raw materials for crafts. Reindeer antler, bone, hide, and sinew are used to make numerous objects, following a principle that values every part of the animal and minimizes waste. This approach reflects a deep understanding of the natural environment and a responsible use of its resources.

Beyond its economic role, the reindeer is intimately linked to Sami identity. It facilitates the transmission of knowledge, structures lifestyles, and embodies the profound connection between communities and their territory. For families who still practice reindeer herding today, it remains a powerful symbol of cultural continuity, resilience, and attachment to traditions.

Thus, these objects bear witness to a living heritage, where memory, know-how and traditions are transmitted, perpetuated and reinvented by today's Sami communities.

Text: FCP Coridon