Sgraffito Miniature Dala Horse

A handmade ceramic miniature Dala horse, slab-built in terracotta and decorated with white slip and sgraffito florals, made in our workshop in Scotland.

The making. The horse is hand-built from rustic terracotta clay, shaped by hand into the silhouette of a traditional Swedish Dala horse. A white slip is applied across the exterior, and the slip is then cut into using sgraffito — drawing florals and folk motifs through the white surface with a fine tool so the terracotta shows through as warm linework. Green and blue underglazes are added to the floral elements. The piece is bisque-fired, glazed with a transparent finish, and re-fired to give a glossy seal.

How it looks and feels. The body reads as a warm chalky white with the sgraffito florals showing as terracotta-coloured linework, punctuated by small touches of green and blue. The transparent glaze gives a glossy sheen across the white, but the underlying texture of the slabbed clay still reads at the edges and the underside. As a small object, it has the weight and density of fired clay rather than a hollow ornament.

Use it for:

• A single sculptural piece on a mantel, shelf, or windowsill
• Paired with the larger Dala horses in our shop as a family grouping
• A folk-art accent in a Scandi-styled kitchen or living room
• A small, distinctive gift for someone with Swedish roots or a Nordic-leaning home
• Given to a friend who collects miniatures or folk-art objects

A considered gift for the Scandi-minimalist, the folk-art collector, or anyone with a quiet love of Sweden — housewarmings, birthdays, or simply because.

Dust with a soft, dry cloth. Spot clean with a slightly damp cloth if needed.

Width: 13.5 cm | Height: 15 cm | Depth: 4.5 cm.