Collection: Swedish Folk Art – Kurbits, Allmoge & Mora Clocks

Painted and Carved Traditions of Rural Sweden

Swedish folk art grew from farmhouses in Dalarna, Hälsingland and the southern provinces, where long winters left time to paint and carve. Allmoge is the Swedish word for this peasant culture, and kurbits is the swirling gourd and flower painting it is best known for.

Our oldest piece is a hand painted floral storage box dated 1783. Nineteenth-century objects include carved butter paddles from 1806, 1859 and 1866 and a wooden stånka dairy jug. From the mid-century years come miniature Mora clocks painted with pansies and rosemåling flowers, candle holders signed by Atelje Ladetorp, a carved pine candle holder by Bengt Larsson, a carved wood goat and a signed painted Yule goat.

Folk art was made by many hands, from village painters to small workshops, so we describe the maker, date and region whenever the piece tells us. Expect worn paint, old repairs and a patina that only decades or centuries of use can give. These are the details collectors look for in genuine Swedish folk art.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Swedish allmoge?

Allmoge is the Swedish word for the rural peasant society, and in design it describes the rustic style of the Swedish countryside from the 1600s into the 1900s: painted furniture, carved wooden household objects and handwoven textiles.

What is kurbits painting?

Kurbits is a decorative painting style from the province of Dalarna, built from large, stylized flowers, leaves and gourd-like shapes. The name comes from the Latin word for gourd. It was painted on furniture, clocks, wall hangings and everyday objects.

What is the difference between kurbits and rosemaling?

Kurbits is the Swedish tradition from Dalarna, while rosemaling is the Norwegian folk painting tradition. The two are related, but they differ mainly in how the flowers and ornaments are painted.

How can I tell if a piece of Swedish folk art is genuine and old?

Look for worn paint in places of daily use, hand-tool marks, old repairs, painted dates and initials. In every listing we state the date, maker and region whenever the piece shows them, and we photograph the details that matter.

Do you ship Swedish folk art to the USA?

Yes. Every piece is carefully packed and shipped from Sweden with tracking. For US orders, shipping is DDP: all import duties and customs fees are prepaid, so there are no extra charges on delivery.