The Dalahäst, named for the region of Dalarna, has long been a national symbol of Sweden, especially after several exemplars were exhibited at the 1937 Paris World’s Expo and the 1939 New York World’s fair. Traditionally a child’s toy, most Dalahästen today are household decorations expressing pride in Swedish heritage. This object is a variation on the traditional design carved and painted by my grandfather, Gerald “Pete” Soderquist. A member of the Lincoln, Nebraska Norden Club, my grandpa Pete was always bemused by the group’s insistence on collectables made in Sweden. To him, it made no difference if a piece were made by a Swede in America or a Swede in the old country.