Dala Horse - Minot, North Dakota
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 48° 13.574 W 101° 17.898
14U E 329313 N 5343999
Huge toy horse at the Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot, North Dakota.
Waymark Code: WM2MT8
Location: North Dakota, United States
Date Posted: 11/22/2007
Views: 93
"A large 30 feet tall Dala (dawla) horse, which is the most recognized
Swedish symbol in the world, was dedicated by the Swedish Heritage Association
on October 10, 2000.
These brightly colored horses have been carved in various sizes by Swedish
craftsmen and take their name from the province of Dalarna where is has been a
popular form of domestic art since the 1840s. Historical accounts vary in giving
credit to woodsmen and to soldiers for originating the craft. It is certain that
long autumn and winter evenings with little to do, coupled with the availability
of wood scraps from the furniture-making trade of the area, fostered the
development of the Dala Horse.
The first Dala Horses were plain wood, created as toys for children. A
hundred years later, they took on their familiar bright colors and kurbit
(flower-patterned) saddle and harness designs." ~ Scandinavian
Heritage Association website