Korntved-Rørkær Stien EN - Bobbin Lace Makers & Button Makers
Buttons and Fake Coins
In addition to the farms here at Skovfennen, many other professions have also been represented. Of the more curious sort, a button maker who made a living by re-melting old tin from e.g. mugs and platters and turn it into buttons. The buttons were polished subsequently and a brass eye was soldered on before the buttons were attached to cardboard – often with a piece of grass straw. Being a button maker was a recognized civil profession so taxes had to be paid to the market town of Tønder. There were 16 registered button makers in Rørkær in the 1835 census. Perhaps just one of the button makers used his skills to produce fake coins…?
The Sacred Spring 1989.
The Sacred Spring
On the hillside just on the verge of Skovfennen lies the 18th century farm Helliggård, close by a medieval sacred spring. The spring was frequently visited by the sick and crippled due to the healing properties of the water. In the 1930s the water from the spring was bottled and sold but the enchantment was broken and sales did not last for long. According to locals the spring is still active.
Lisette Dyhrberg at the bobbin lace board in front of her house in Rørkær. 1925.
Bobbin Laces
Many bobbin lace makers also lived by Skovfennen. These were among the poorest in town. Girls down to the age of 6 or 7 were ordered to make the bobbin laces because of their good eyes with which they were able to make the finest patterns with the thinnest of threads in poor light. The working day for a lace girl was 11 hours, 6 days a week. Often she had to go out herself to sell the lace to the lace merchants in the town of Tønder.
