THE SOUL OF SWEDEN
The history of Dala horse
The Dala Horse is more than just a toy; it is a symbol of Sweden, representing craftsmanship, tradition, and the spirit of the Dalarna region.
Humble Beginnings
The tradition of carving wooden horses dates back hundreds of years to the 17th and 18th centuries in the province of Dalarna. During long, dark winter nights, woodsmen and farmers would sit by the fire and carve small toys for their children out of leftover scraps of wood. The horse was a natural choice of subject, as it was a precious worker and a faithful friend to the farmers in their daily toil.
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The Rise of a Symbol
By the 19th century, these horses became a popular item for trade. Peddlers from the villages around Mora, such as Nusnäs and Bergkarlås, traveled across Sweden selling their wooden wares. It was during this time that the horses began to be painted in the vibrant colors we recognize today—primarily red—and decorated with the "kurbits" style (a traditional flower pattern).
The "World Celebrity" (1939)
The Dala Horse’s big international breakthrough occurred at the 1939 New York World's Fair. A massive 2.8-meter-high Dala Horse was placed outside the Swedish Pavilion, designed by Anders Beckman and decorated by artist Göte Hennix. It captured the world's imagination, and since then, the Dala Horse has been recognized globally as a symbol of Sweden.
​​How They Are Made
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Cutting the Shape: A horse outline is drawn on a piece of pine wood. A saw is used to cut out a flat, chunky "blank" that looks like a basic wooden block.
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Hand-Carving: A woodcarver uses a sharp knife to shave off the rough edges. They carefully carve out the curves of the body, the ears, and the legs.
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Sanding: The horse is sanded down until it feels very smooth. Any little bumps or splinters are removed so the paint will look perfect.
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The Base Coat: The horse is dipped into a big bucket of paint. While red is the most famous color, they can be in any color.
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Flower Painting: An artist hand-paints the beautiful floral patterns. This style is called Kurbits. They often use two colors on one brush to make the petals look shaded.
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The Shiny Finish: A clear coat of lacquer is added at the very end to protect the paint and give the horse a nice shine.
Experience the Tradition at Dalashop
At Dalashop in Stockholm, we are proud to keep this centuries-old tradition alive. While the horses are born in the forests of Dalarna, our shop brings these authentic, handmade treasures to the heart of the capital. We carefully select each horse to ensure it meets the highest standards of Swedish craftsmanship. When you buy from us, you aren’t just getting a souvenir—you are taking home a piece of living history, hand-carved and hand-painted just as they have been for generations.