This weekend's treasure

This has to be my favourite treasure found this weekend.  A beautiful, hand painted wooden sign made in Sweden, depicting the Dala horse.

In the 17th century the little wooden horses were sold at markets in small towns and villages in Dalarna, Central Sweden.  A hundred years later the horses were carved by men who were working in the forests and brought back for the children to play with.

In later years the horses were painted in brighter colours inspired by the flower patterns found on the painted furniture and walls of that region.  They became an important source of income, with small children learning how to carve after school. The Dala horse has now become a symbol of Sweden.