PhD and independent researcher Lena Dahrén, Uppsala University, Sweden

Lena Dahrén, PhD is an independent researcher at Textile Studies, Art Department, University of Uppsala, Sweden. 

Lena Dahrén is an expert on bobbin made trimmings of gold and silver in the period from 1550-1640. Her dissertation was defended 10th of December 2010 and the title is Med kant av guld och silver: En studie av knypplade bårder och uddar av metall 1550 – 1640 [With trimming of gold and silver: bobbin made borders and edgings of metal 1550-1640].

Her professional background is within the Swedish handicraft association where she has held a position as bobbin-lace consultant during the period 1983-2003. This included research, lecturing, teaching and arranging minor exhibitions on the subject. Interest in the so called free-hand-lace led to the study of high status bobbin-made trimmings on garments belonging to the highest level of social society in the late 16th Century and early 17th Century which is the subject of her thesis.

She is planning a project concerning magnificent textiles and their primary use as luxurious garments in the late 16th Century and their secondary use as preserved liturgical/ecclesiastic textiles due to personal connections between England and Sweden.