The original Dala Horse (Dalahäst) has been around for many centuries and is part of Scandinavian folklore. It can be traced back to Swedish woodcutters in the province of Dalarna near Mora.
During the long winters, these hard-working men would spend their evenings away from their families, and passed their time by carving little toys for their children. 
The bright, happy steed we now know as the Dala Horse and its distinct decoration originated in the 1700's. Up until this time Dala Horse had been unpainted wearing nothing but the natural grain of the wood for ornamentation.

Over time, the Dala Horse evolved into a symbol of all Swedish handicrafts. It is an endearing gift from Swedes to other Swedes and friends all over the world.

Dimensions: 10cm, 13cm & 16cm

There is quite a bit of work required in the production of these decorative little toys. Most are made of pine, which is dried for three to four weeks after the initial carving. This prevents the horses from splitting after they are painted. The design is first drawn on the wood and sawed by machine. Then they are given to the carvers, who finish them using their own individual techniques. Each carver will normally choose horses of the size that is most comfortable to him to decorate, which means that the horses are available in many varying sizes. No two horses are ever truly identical.