Friday, January 4, 2013

Dala Horses

Bright little Dala Horses.



Dalas are whittled from pine and handpainted with a kurbit saddle design 
in Nusnas, Sweden (Dalarna province),  just as they were 200+ years ago.
Today these traditional folk-art ponies are considered a symbol of Sweden.



Here is my little herd.
(The kids have Dala horsies too, but I didn't try to round those up for the photo shoot.) 


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Linking to A Favorite Thing at Mockingbird Hill Cottage

40 comments:

Maple Lane said...

I've seen these but did not know their origin. Very pretty!
Have a nice weekend.

Kim K. said...

I had seen this horse design before too but didn't know the history behind it. How sweet. Happy weekend!

Kathryn said...

Lovely Dalas! :) I too am quite the Dala fan.

Plushpussycat said...

What a gorgeous blog you have! I'm so glad you found me, because now I've found you too! I look forward to seeing more! xo Jennifer

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

The Dala horses look very lovely in your display. Glad you shared, I didn't know what the horses were called.

Visiting from Claudia's Mockingbird Hill Cottage.
Joy

Thistle Cove Farm said...

those are really pretty!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What beautiful treasures and it's nice to know the history of them. A favorite for sure!

Claire said...

Thanks for the info Gayle, always wondered what the history was behind these horses. I see they are quite popular in the crafty world at the moment, making an appearance on fabrics etc.
Have a great weekend.
.....
Claire :}

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Very lovely little horses - and I learned something new too - thanks.

gillyflower said...

I always admire Dala horses, they look so cheerful and bright - yours a re lovely, thanks for sharing the photos and the info!
Gill xx

Helena said...

Love your Dalas! I still have yet to find one. Hope to one day. :) XO Helena

Diane said...

My young daughter bought an old Dala (real cheap) at a estate sale last spring. She really likes it! We even made a paper Dala horse garland for Xmas (idea from The Vintage Umbrella blog).

Debra said...

So pretty!

CraveCute said...

These are beautiful! I do not own any, I think I will have to change that! Thanks for visiting me too!

Paula said...

I have a pattern to make Dala horses out of felt for Christmas ornaments! I love them! They are so charming!

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Oh I have one that was my Grandmother's! I never knew the history so thanks!

polkadotpeticoat said...

I adore these little guys.....love your collection!
Have a good weekend, Heidi

Sharon Souter said...

These are delightful. I'd love a little herd of my own!

Claudia said...

I can see why you love them - I think they are so charming.

Thanks so much for joining in this week!

xo
Claudia

Sally Annie Magundy said...

I adore Dala horses. I inherited my mom's two Dala horses she picked up when she visited Sweden. Her fathers family was from Dalarna so they are very dear.

Happy weekend to you!

Deb said...

They are so pretty. Love the pop of red. Deb

Jeanmarie DiTaranto said...

Agreeing wholeheartedly with Deb -- love the red!

Chenille Cottage said...

Oh, what pretty Dala horses. I love their bright shiny red coats. I would love to visit Sweden someday. It's been so much fun finding bloggers from this beautiful country.
Thank you for sharing, my sweet friend!
Have a lovely day.
Carolynn xxx

20 North Ora said...

I must find me some of these cute little darlings.

Judy

diane b said...

You never cease to amaze me with your unique collections.

Leslie said...

They are super cute, I have never heard of them.
Happy New year!!!!

ImSoVintage said...

These are adorable. I have never seen them before. Thank you for visiting my blog. I have become a follower of yours and and i am looking forward to knowing you better.
Hugs,
Laura

janice15 said...

vERY SWEET, i LOVE THINGS LIKE THAT..WOOD THATS PAINTED..HAPPY NEW YEARS. HAVE LOVELY DAY..WITH LOVE JANICE

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Those are pretty and so cheerful looking. Thanks for sharing and the story behind them.
Thanks for the nice comment on the necklaces. Most of what I do in jewelry making, is self taught, with a lot of mistakes along the way. :)

Balisha said...

We used to go to a Swedish Festival in Geneva, Illinois called Swedish Days. It's a little town with Swedish bakery, gift shop, tea room etc. These little horses and their likeness are everywhere.
Balisha

wendy said...

I didn't know that's what they were called.
Your little "herd" is lovely.

Poppy said...

Red (my favourite colour)and white and green horses! Lovely!

Very nice to meet you,

Poppy

Sandy said...

Your horses are darling. I learned something new today because I've never seen these horses before. I love the color! Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment. I hope you'll come visit again.

The Custards said...

Just popping in for a cup of tea and to wish you all the very best for 2013
Lovely photos - I have a few pieces of fabrics with these on too
Best wishes
Jenny

Marilyn said...

Dala horses always remind me of Solvang in California and Lindsborg in Kansas, two very special Swedish towns in the USA. Thanks for a visiting me today.

joyfulinhispresence said...

What beautiful pieces! Love the flair of the painting of the saddles! Thank you for sharing more of your treasures with us, Gayle.

Rosewalk Cottage said...

Your horses are so sweet and I love your header.
~Clara

Melanie said...

Love those little horses! So pretty.

baukje said...

I love them I once saw them on fabric. Don't remember where......

Donna Yates said...

I've never seen these before. I love them. They're unique.