Rare Folk Art Swedish Scandinavian Santa Claus carrying a wood carved Dala horse

  
Rare Swedish Scandinavian 22 Santa Claus with glasses dressed in Swedish cultural attire carrying a Dala horse. The horse is approximately 6 tall with a wooden ball. Santa is mounted on a wood base; the wood base is approximately 9 in diameter: The History of the Dala (Dalecarlian) Horse The image of the horse goes back thousands of years. The magic and mystique surrounding the horse inspired people to recreate their image in cave and rock paintings. 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. A hundred years later wooden horses were carved by men working in the forests during long winter evenings and brought back to the village for the children to play with. This is how the little wooden horse from Dalarna became a treasured object. These simple wooden horses were later painted in bright colours inspired by the flower patterns painted on furniture and walls in the region.

They also became an important source of income for poorer families. Even young children had to learn to carve wooden horses after returning home from school. The children of one such family started a small business at the ages of 13 and 15 in 1928. Their children and grand children are still producing the Dala horses to this day in a little village called Nusnas in Dalarna.

Their Dalahast has now become an authentic symbol of Sweden. It wasnt until the World Exhibition in New York in 1939 that the Dala wooden horse became famous around the world.

A giant painted Dala horse was placed outside the Swedish pavilion and caused a sensation among the visitors. The item "Rare Folk Art Swedish Scandinavian Santa Claus carrying a wood carved Dala horse" is in sale since Wednesday, December 07, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Holiday & Seasonal\Christmas\ Current (1991-Now)\Figures\Santa".

The seller is "ddrummonds3858" and is located in Lithonia, Georgia. This item can be shipped worldwide.