Mid-Century Scandinavian Folk Art Straw-Wrapped Wooden Doll Set – Mother & Child

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A striking pair of mid-20th century Scandinavian folk art figures, handcrafted from turned wood and meticulously wrapped with natural straw … Read more A striking pair of mid-20th century Scandinavian folk art figures, handcrafted from turned wood and meticulously wrapped with natural straw cord. The taller figure (10.5" H) depicts a woman in a wide-brimmed hat, carrying a small wooden pail suspended from braided cord. Beside her stands a smaller child figure (4.75" H), echoing the same sculptural rhythm in miniature. Their forms are deceptively simple—pure geometric volumes softened by the tactile wrapping of straw. Subtle painted details, like dotted features and decorative accents on the pail, lend warmth and personality. The figures embody both the austerity and playfulness of Scandinavian design during the 1950s–70s, when handcrafted folk pieces found an international audience. This rare Scandinavian folk art set is ready to bring charm, craftsmanship, and conversation to your home.

COLLECTOR'S NOTE
Scandinavian straw-wrapped figures like these were often the result of communal cottage industry: one artisan might turn the wooden cores on a home lathe, while another household specialized in wrapping the forms with straw or reed. This piecemeal method not only distributed income among rural families, but also explains why subtle differences in wrapping style or proportions appear from set to set. What seems like a simple souvenir was in fact the product of a small-scale, cooperative economy.

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