Lotta-Svärd gear
The Lotta uniform
It was not until 1922 that the Lotta
dress code was approved nation-wide at the annual meeting. The dress
was grey wool or cotton cloth, with loose white cotton collar and
cuffs. The dress could not be shorter than 25cm from the ground, this
was changed to 30 cm during the war. Together with the dress, the
Lotta-Svärd badge was worn at the collar. The badge was normally
silver but later versions are only silvered. On the left arm, a cloth
badge and band showed wich branch the Lotta belonged to. At festive
occasions, a band showing the district was also worn on the left arm.
The Lotta cap was the same model as the Civil guards cap and was made
of similar cloth as the dress. A cockade in the cap showed the
colours of the Civil guards district that the Lotta belonged to but
later on the blue and white army cockade was used. A white cotton
apron was often used, especially by catering and medical Lottas.
Other badges worn (on the left breast pocket) were the course star,
badges received for 10 or 20 years in service, and different sport
badges. Also awards and medals were allowed at special occasions, and
medical Lottas with nurse training were allowed to wear the nurse’s
badge of their organisation.
Lotta dish sets
Right from the start, the Lottas played
an important role by catering at big public occasions and parties, so
big porcelain services were needed. These were manufactured by Arabia
between 1920 and 1944. Early services differ from later ones by being
standard restaurant versions with Lotta-Svärd logo added; these
early versions are quite scarce today. At first services were quite
small but as the organisation grew in the 30’s more and more parts
were added. Then as the organisation was disbanded the porcelain
often had a bad fate. Services were given donated to other
organisations or split between members. Some was hidden in attics and
other places in wait of better times. In the worst cases, everything
was destroyed as happened in most bigger cities. Hence porcelain from
smaller districts is more commonly found than city marked. A lot of
enamelled dishes, pans and pots were also manufactured and used, as
they were cheap and sturdy in field use. These were also marked with
the Lotta logo. Very few have survived since they were simply worn
out and thrown away.
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