Where are Swedish Dala horses made?

Originally, Dala horses were made as toys for children to play with. They were produced in Dalarna region, in the central Sweden in small villages, where people lived surrounded by forests.

Why is the Dala Horse important to Sweden?

The History of the Dala Horse Horses were highly valued and became a symbol of strength and courage. They arrived in Sweden 4000 years ago and were tamed and domesticated around that time. In the 17th century little wooden horses were sold at markets in small towns and villages in Dalarna, in central Sweden.

Are Dala Horses Swedish or Norwegian?

Over the years the hand-carved and painted Dala Horse has become a symbol of authentic Swedish handicraft and one of Sweden’s most popular souvenirs. The name comes from its home province, Dalarna, in central Sweden. Most popular are the red-orange horses from the little village of Nusnäs near Mora.

What is the meaning of the Swedish Dala horse?

Share this. “What’s that?” Fafa asked, pointing at the painted wooden horse figure sitting on top of the drawer — “It’s a Dala horse, Swedish symbol of good luck“, I replied. “You will buy anything as long as they slap a good-luck tag on it“, he complained.

How are Dala horses made?

Producing a Dala horse takes about two weeks. First, a template is stamped onto the wood that has been selected and prepared. Using electric saws, the horses are cut out and given their general form. Then, they are hand carved and smoothed until they have obtained the desired shape.

What are Dala horses made of?

wooden
A Dalecarlian horse or Dala horse (/ˌdɑːləˈkɑːrliən/; Swedish: Dalahäst) is a traditional carved, painted wooden statue of a horse originating in the Swedish province of Dalarna (Dalecarlia).

What are Swedish wooden horses called?

Dala horse

Are Dala horses for Christmas?

The mix-and-match of Christmas paraphernalia, motifs, and images now often includes the Dala horse from the Dalarna region of Sweden. Originally the horses were small wooden toys made for children by the foresters in the Dalarna region in central Sweden and sold in local markets.

How old are Dala horses?

This marks the beginning of a new era for the Dala horse, transitioning from toy to a national symbol and popular souvenir. The Dalecarlian horse of today is still a handcrafted article, made of pine, and its pattern is about 150 years old. At least nine different people contribute their skills to create each horse.

Is Dala Horse Christmas?

The Christmas Dala horse was also a favorite subject in popular illustrated holiday greeting cards, illustrated by many of the same artists who illustrated children’s books and annuals during the first decades of the 20th century (Figs. 10-12).

What color are Dala horses?

red
Traditionally, Dala horses are painted red and lovingly decorated with a painted saddle and bridle. They come in all colours and sizes, from clear varnish to pink, in the national colours of Sweden or in individual designs for special occasions.

Do they still make Dala horses in Sweden?

In 1928, when Nils was 15 and Jannes 13, they started a small factory, taking out a loan in order to buy a saw. The risk paid off, and the descendants of the Olsson brothers are still making Dala horses in Nusnäs nearly a century later. Visitors to Dalarna can visit the Olsson brothers’ factories and see Dala horses being produced.

Where does the wood for Dala come from?

The wood for Dala horses comes from the dense forests around Lake Siljan, where Nusnäs is located. Producing a Dala horse takes about two weeks. First, a template is stamped onto the wood that has been selected and prepared.

Who made the Dala horse?

Eldest brother Grannas Anders began producing Dala horses in 1922, aged 26, along with other items that he sold through traveling salesmen. Younger brothers Nils and Jannes would help out by carving horses after school.

Where is Sweden’s most famous handicraft made?

The Dala Horse Factories of Nusnäs: Where Sweden’s Most Famous Handicraft is Made. Few symbols of Sweden are more famous than the painted wooden horses from the province of Dalarna, in the Swedish heartland. People have been carving wooden horses as toys and decorative items for hundreds of years, but it was in the early 1800s…