Jöns Persson Stenhuggare – En smålännings verksamhet i Jämtland

Abstract

Jöns Persson – Stonemason During the late 17th century craftsmen and artists joined the remote Regiment of Jämtland. Here, in a province without any towns, they were far away from the restrictions of the guilds. To this place the stonemason Jöns Persson, born in Småland in the southern parts of Sweden, came. He was not skilful enough to compete with the stonemason élite in the southern parts of Sweden. However, in Jämtland, as the only stonemason and without any competition, he got many orders. His most important work was the baptismal font in the church of Frösö. It was signed with great selfesteem. Other important works were grave slabs for deans of the province. The grave slabs as well as the baptismal font were created with models from southern Sweden. In spite of his limited artistic skills, the dragoon Jöns “the stonemason”, was an intermediary of south Swedish design, transmitted into the limestone of Jämtland.