"A Dala Delight! Dalarna, a region nestled in central Sweden, made a name for itself in the 17th century by becoming the leader in crafting little wooden equines that became known as Dala Horses. Carved by loggers and woodworkers as presents for their children these brightly painted horses became an authentic symbol of Sweden and were soon found in markets all over the region. Gaining global attention in 1939 at the World’s Fair in New York, Sweden started mass production of the little wooden horses. In Nusnäs, Sweden the Dala horse is still being produced today at the Nils Olsson Dalahästar factory where the traditional carving and painting methods from decades ago are still used.
We could not have a celebration of Nordic culture without paying homage to the icon that is the Dala Horse! For this year’s Freedom Series (1:12 scale) Limited Edition Model, we are excited to introduce fans to Dalarna, done on Jane Lunger’s Standing Thoroughbred, mold # 657. Dalarna features a beautifully intricate floral design atop the most popular and iconic Dala horse color – red. The design is an art style specific to Sweden and is called Kurbits, which is characterized by the use of stylized floral and plant motifs in vibrant colors." www.breyerhorses.com.