Nils Olsson Dalahästar

The Dala horses from Nils Olsson are handmade in Nusnäs, Dalarna, in the same place where the craft has been passed down through generations. The business was founded in 1928 by brothers Nils and Jannes Olsson, but the tradition of carving Dala horses is much older than that. As early as the 18th century, small wooden horses were carved as a natural part of everyday life in the area.

Over time, the Dala horse acquired its distinctive kurbits painting and began to spread far beyond Dalarna. When it was shown at the World’s Fair in New York in 1939, it became strongly associated with Sweden – a symbol that still endures today.

At Nils Olsson Dala Horses, each horse is shaped by hand, from the first carving to the final brushstroke. Today, the family business is carried on by the founders’ children and grandchildren, with great respect for tradition. At Skansen, you will find a selection of their classic Dala horses and Dala roosters, made with the same care then as now.