The Dala Horse: A Brief History of a Swedish Folk Art Icon

Get your tickets for the ASHM Centennial Gala - October 17th! In 1939, outside the Swedish Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair, a nine-foot tall Dalahäst (Dala horse), weighing nearly a ton, greeted visitors. The display introduced the world to a distinctive form of hemslöjd (home craft) that originated in the Swedish county of Dalarna in the mid nineteenth century. This illustrated presentation offers an overview of the early history of this craft, highlighting some of the key individuals and families involved in its development, including the formation of the famous Olsson companies. Discover how rich and varied the carving and painting of Dala horses has been throughout its history, and how the tradition continues today. This free virtual program is presented by Kirsten Hansen Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal is a museum researcher at Glencairn Museum and a Dala-painting and straw-craft workshop presenter at the American Swedish Historical Museum. This is a free program. Register to receive the Zoom link.