Sweden is a popular nation known for its rich heritage and mind-blowing landscapes. The distinct elements that separate Sweden from other European nations are the traditional wooden horses, also known as the Dala horses. These wooden statues have a long history embedded in the cultural identity of Sweden. In this blog post, we will shed light on the back story of Dala horses, folklore, and craftsmanship. Additionally, you will also know where to find Traditional Swedish Wooden Horses in the present era.
Origin of Dala horses
Dala horses are vintage wooden structures of horses originating from the 17th-century Dalarna region of Sweden. Craftsmen from the Dalarna region used to craft wooden horses to earn additional income during harsh winter seasons. At that time, wooden horses were simple, unpainted, and carved from wood scraps.
Furthermore, Swedish folklore witnessed Dala horses being used as a storytelling tool. Old people used to carve wooden horses and paint them with the stories of myths, legends, and heroes. These horses were then passed to the generations as a means to preserve the traditions of the communities.
Let’s see how wooden horses are carved from scratch!
Production of Dala horses
Skilled artisans develop each wooden horse from a single piece of wood, specifically pine or birch. After carving, the wooden horses are painted using red, green, blue, and yellow colors. These colors have symbolic meanings. Red reflects love, blue fidelity, green hope, and yellow the sun. These traditional Swedish wooden horses mirror the essence of a horse and are available in a wide variety of designs.
Modern variations in Dala horses
Contemporary Dala horses come in diverse hues, patterns, sizes, and shapes. Some people prefer traditional wooden dala horses, while others love to try avant-garde pieces. Dalaart produces vintage Dala horses hand-crafted and embellished with unique and mesmerizing patterns. These artworks add a touch of gracefulness to your living space.
Dala horses at Dalaart are available in colors, including pink, white, gray, black, brown, orange, blue, and cream. At the store, one also gets to see shockingly stunning “sitting” Dala horses, the
ones carrying ice hockey sticks in their upper limbs, grazing dala horses, winged dala horses, jumping dala horses, and whatnot. Furthermore, if one wants to try a different wooden dala animal, Dalaart won’t disappoint. Dala roosters and pigs are one of the few variations of their artwork. If you are a passionate artist, you can pour your creativity into unpainted Dala horses at Dalaart. All the Dala artwork is handmade from recycled wood, keeping in mind the safety of the environment.
Winding up, Dala horses symbolize Swedish culture. These whimsical statues have transcended generations and caught the attention of enthusiasts around the world. Regardless of your identity and interests, if you are seeking to get in touch with the rich cultures of Sweden, Dala horses are a perfect option. So, don’t miss the chance to own the vintage Dala artwork. Visit us at Dalaart to experience the charm of traditional Dala horses.