The tale of "Tavle-Jakob"

Now you will get to know the story of ‘Tavle-Jakob’. He was actually called Jakob Sørensøn Gieskegaard and was born in Giske in 1734. He was the gifted son of a farmer and was self taught in reading and writing. He was also a talented woodcarver. Giske church fell into disrepair at the start of the 18th century. At the time, the socially engaged Priest Hans Strøm, undertook pastoral duties on Giske. There he became acquinted with the confirmant Jakob. Hans Strøm was behind the major restoration of the church in 1756 and Jakob was given the task of creating a new interior for the Church. Jakob was 22 years old when he carved his first altarpiece, which is the altarpiece in Giske Church. In the Church, a crucifix, the pulpit, the motif on the door of the altar ring, an offertory plate and a friar’s box were all made by him. He later went on to carve a further 5 altarpieces. He carved his last when he was 83 years old and that hangs in Sandøy church. It is altarpieces or ‘altartavlene’ that he was famous for and that is why he was known as Tavle- Jakob. He was married to Johanne Olsdatter from Alnes. Jakob was 93 years old when he died on the 2nd July 1827.