Objects Database

Bonna Wooden Touring skis

Accession Number

1070.2013.1

Object Name

Bonna Wooden Touring skis

Created

17/04/2013

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

17/04/2013

Brief Description

Pair of Bonna laminated wooden skis - 2400 model. Gresshoppa bindings.

Materials

laminated wood, metal

Dimensions

200(l) x 5.5(w) cms

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Inscription Description

Star shape at tip. On skis "TURSKI MED LIGNOSTONEKANTER BONNA MODEL 2400 MADE IN NORWAY" On bindings "GRESSHOPPA MADE IN NORWAY"

Colour

brown

Maker

Bonna

Object Production Place

Norway

Provenance

Narve Bonna was a Norwegian ski jumper who won the Silver medal at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix. Having spent lots of time experimenting with various types of wood and glue to make a laminated ski, Bonna opened a factory at a place called Lommedalen in Norway in 1939, though Bonna skis don't seem to have appeared on the market until 1959.
The 1960's and 70's were the golden era for laminated wooden skis and along with Splitkein, Bonna were one of the market leaders with an excellent range of skis, with the 2400 model that we have here in the collection marketed as " the back country workhorse for the backcountry experience" Terminology like that would seem to be aimed at the American market.
The bindings are one of the many variations of the Kandahar type.In this case they are produced by another Norwegian Company - Gresshoppa.
Bonna, along with many other of the world's wooden ski manufacturers went out of business in the 1980's when glass-fibre and plastic skis captured the markets, so we are delighted to have another little piece of ski history in the collection.
This particular pair were given to Mick Tighe by a Norwegain friend, Jon Sommerseth in 2008. Jon was head of the Tourist Board in Narvik, North Norway, at the time and Mick took groups of cross-country skiers there as part of his mountain guiding work

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

17/04/2013

Condition Check Date

17/04/2013

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

17/04/2013

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