El Dala horse (Swedish: Dalahäst) is a traditional carved and painted wooden statuette of a horse from the Swedish province of Dalarna.
In the old days the Dala horse was mostly used as a toy for children, but in modern times it has become a symbol of Dalarna as well as Sweden in general.
Several different types of Dala horses are made, with distinctive characteristics common to the locality of the site where they are produced. A particular style, however, much more common and widespread than the others. It is roundly carved and painted bright red with details and a harness of white, green, yellow and blue.
It was in the small cabins in the woods on winter nights in front of a wood stove that the forerunner of the dala horse originated. Using simple tools, generally only a knife, wood carvers made toys for your children.
It was natural that many of these toys were horses, because the horse was very valuable these days to the faithful and hardworking friend who could pull large loads of wood from the woods during the winter months, and in the summer it could be of so much use on the farm.
The art of carving and painting small horses quickly flourished in the 19th century, as economic difficulties in the region inspired increased production of small horses, and they became an important item of barter.
As time went by, Dala horses were soon traded for household items and carving and painting was transformed into a full-fledged cottage industry. Rural families managed to acquire skill in their carving and painting that has been passed from generation to generation.
Dala horse decoration has its roots in furniture painting and has been refined over the years.