Dala Horse Pewter Pendant

From a simple wooden toy to one of Sweden's most beloved folk symbols, the Dala Horse, or Dalecarlian Horse, carries centuries of tradition in its unmistakable shape.

The Dala Horse has its roots in the Swedish province of Dalarna, where small wooden horses were traditionally carved by hand. Early horses were often left unpainted, but over time they began appearing in the bright colors and elaborate folk-painted patterns for which they are known today.

One favorite legend takes us to the winter of 1716, during the reign of King Charles XII of Sweden. According to the story, soldiers quartered in homes near Mora carved small horses from scraps of wood. One soldier painted his horse bright red and gave it to a child in the household. In return, the child's mother gave him a bowl of soup. The arrangement apparently worked rather well—soon other soldiers were said to be carving horses and exchanging them for food!

Another tradition tells of the distinctive painted decoration itself. A wandering artist skilled in the Swedish kurbits style of decorative painting is said to have embellished a child's plain wooden horse to match the beautifully painted surroundings. Whether history or folklore, the story reflects the transformation of a humble carved horse into the colorful folk-art icon recognized today.

Our Dala Horse Pendant captures that familiar silhouette in hand-cast pewter, allowing the sculpted details and softly antiqued finish to take the place of the traditional painted decoration.

Hand cast in lead-free pewter and individually hand finished in our shop, the pendant measures approximately 1" x 7/8" and comes complete with an 18" stainless steel chain.

Small in size but rich in tradition, the Dala Horse makes a meaningful piece for anyone celebrating Swedish heritage, Scandinavian culture, folk art, or simply a connection to the traditions carried from one generation to the next.