Dalahäst

🐴 Dalahäst: The Iconic Swedish Dala Horse 🐴

Whether you want to bring a piece of Scandinavian heritage into your home or you are looking for the perfect blank canvas to practice your painting skills, this Dalahäst is a timeless classic.

Overview

This model is a digital recreation of the traditional Dalecarlian horse (Dalahäst), the world-famous symbol of Sweden originating from the province of Dalarna.

Historically carved from wood during long winter nights, this model captures the smooth, sturdy silhouette of the original craftsmanship. It is designed to be a beautiful minimalist piece on its own, or a base for traditional Kurbits (floral) painting.

🎨 A Note on Style

• The Classic Look: For the most authentic look, print this in Red PLA and hand-paint the harness and floral details in white, green, and yellow.
• Modern Scandi: Keep it unpainted in Matte White or Marble for a clean, modern interior design object.
• The "Wood" Look: Use Wood-filled PLA and stain it after printing for a result that looks exactly like a traditional hand-carved antique.

Print Instructions

This model is solid and easy to print, but does have some overhangs under the belly and chin.

• Material: Looks stunning in Red, Marble, or Wood PLA.
• Walls: 2-3 walls are sufficient.
• Infill: Lightning.
• Supports: Yes. The belly and the chin usually have overhangs. I recommend using Tree/Organic Supports touching the build plate only. They are easy to remove and leave minimal marks.
• Scaling: The model scales perfectly! Scale it down for a cute ornament or up for a majestic bookshelf guardian.

Post-Processing

If you plan to paint it in the traditional style:

1. Lightly sand the surface to remove layer lines (simulating smooth wood).
2. Apply a primer.
3. Use acrylic paints for the base color and the details.

Show off your print!

I would love to see if you go for a modern look or a traditional painted style! Please upload a picture of your make (and your painting skills)! 📸

Happy Printing!