Wise and Foolish Virgins Towel from Ekelund

Designed from a weaving in Vesterheim's Collection! The Biblical parable of the Five Wise and the Five Foolish Virgins was a popular theme for art in Norway in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The parable, found in Matthew 25:1-13, tells of ten young women who are awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom at a wedding. All carry lamps, but only five of the women are prepared with oil. The other five women miss the groom because they are away buying oil. The parable cautions readers to be prepared for the Second Coming of Christ.

In the old tapestries, including one in the Vesterheim collection, the five wise virgins stand with their lamps aloft. The foolish virgins stand with their lamps down, hands empty, or cry into handkerchiefs. The groom stands at the top left; the figure on the lower right is interpreted as the seller of oil.

Ekelund weavers make some of the most natural and finest quality woven kitchen, table, and home linens available, and they reflect the taste and style of the Scandinavian good life. Made of 100% Organic Cotton in Sweden.