Dala Horse Ribbon by Cherish Flieder

 

More about this Dala Horse Ribbon Design

This Swedish Dala Horse ribbon was designed by artist Cherish Flieder of Something to Cherish® was inspired an iconic symbol of Swedish identity and customs called the Dala Horse. This horse has been considered a holy animal in Sweden since Viking times. Early early horses were carved as children’s toys from the clock case industry scrap wood. Originally, the horses were painted solid colors like red, blue, and grey. The Kurbit gourd vine theme flower pattern was added after the 1800’s and comes from the Biblical story of Jonah. Cherish recreated this traditional pattern incorporating the story of its roots using her “Something to Cherish” embroidered watercolor style.

Traditional Swedish crafts include linen wall hangings; embroidered cushions, clothing, and coverlets; fancy knitted mittens; carved wooden boxes and kitchen utensils with decorative painting; and carved stamps for cakes or cookies. The most pronounced living folk art tradition of Sweden is the pine carved Delecarlian or Dala horse. In Swedish, it is called Dalahäst from the province of Dalarna in central Sweden. Dala carving and “kurbits” painting skills have been passed down for hundreds of years. They are still made the same way today as they were in generations past, taking nine people to hand create each horse.