Another Swedish Horse / Dala Hest

Flea Market Find

Another Dala Hest - Swedish Horse

I am so lucky...

Paid $3.00 USD

Because of my Lundby Doll Houses and my passion for the finer Swedish things I do my best to acquire them for reasonable prices. I saw Nicola's blog (Püppilottchen´s Toy Blog) quite a while ago that showed a tiny little Swedish Horse (Dala Hest) in a Lundby House. I thought it was cute as could be. Then we ventured into a Swedish/Norwegian store recently and saw how expensive and well made they were (hand carved and hand painted). I ended up with one tiny little Dala Hest. Much to my surprise I spotted the larger horse sitting on a table at the flea market last Sunday. I picked it up and someone who had no idea of the history or the value of this item had written $3. in permanent marker on one side. My heart was a flutter because I know this cost about $35. in the Swedish store. We didn't even barter with the guy. We just paid the $3. The precious horse even still had the label on it. The permanent markings have been carefully removed using hubby's vast knowledge. He told me to spray hairspray on a clean rag and to wipe gently. I did not do any damage to the original finish. This larger Dala Hest will look so nice somewhere on Lundby Lane.

Credits: The first photo shows two of the Swedish horses in different scales. The second photo shows the label on the larger horse. The little stool is Lundby.

Here is the link to Nicola's blog with the miniature Swedish Horse. http://pueppilottchens-spielzeug-blog.blogspot.com/2009/09/das-lundby-goteborg-puppenhaus-teil-5.html

I want to express a Special Thank You to all you wonderful bloggers for helping me along the blog road. I cherish your feedback and appreciate the sharing of ideas so very much. I wake up thinking about what you might have blogged about and rush to check em all. And just because I didn't leave a comment doesn't mean that I haven't been there. THANKS!!!

Favorite Things

A New Favorite Thing!

Martin says "Oh Mary, you've here. I've been waiting for you. I have a gift for you that I'd like you to open. Mary says "Well Martin... What on earth did you get me?"
Martin says "Go ahead and open it but be careful."

Mary shrieks with joy and says "Oh Martin, it's one of those special Swedish horses. Please tell me all about it."


Mary places the horse on the mantle and Martin begins to tell Mary what is is. "It is a Dalecarlian horse or Dala horse (Swedish: Dalahäst). It is a traditional wooden statuette of a horse originating in the Swedish province of Dalarna. In the old days the Dala horse was mostly used as a toy for children; in modern times it has become a symbol of Darlarna as well as Sweden in general. I thought because we live in a Swedish house that maybe this Dala Horse would bring us good luck."

Mary exclaims "Oh Martin, I just love it. It looks hand carved and hand painted with great details and oh so special. Let's take some photos of it so others can see. I bet Marta and Erik know all about these."

A Closer Look
(Hubby calles it a Kloppen Ploppen. He's so silly!)

Credits: Viking Treasures Store, Long Grove, IL. A Norweigan and a Swedish flag fly outside the door of the treasure trove of gifts shop in a sleepy tourist town in Northern Illinois. Hubby and I had to travel north to pick something up and we stopped at this store. I spotted the Dalahast on a key chain for a reasonable price but it was way too big and mass produced. Then I spotted the tiny Dalahasts in the case that were all one of a kind. The store clerk told us they were all hand carved and hand painted from wood. I would have settled for the key chain as it still would have been usable but Wonderful Hubby bought me this most precious Swedish Horse. I wasn't expecting that and gave him a Big Smooch right in the store while the clerk wrapped up my tiny treasure which is now one of my very Favorite Things.