Name/Title
Wood FigurineEntry/Object ID
2025.18.2Description
Handmade wood carving of a man laying brick. He is surrounded by a brick wall in front and on his right side and is in the process of laying another brick on top. Behind him are scattered bricks. The sculpture also includes a tub of cement, a leaning wood plank, and a bottle of "Klass Pilsner". The man is wearing a blue buttoned shirt with red and white stripes, a white work apron and a black bowler hat. Inscription on the bottom in permanent marker says, "C.O. Trygg 1957 Sweden."Use
For display in the homeContext
The Tryggs were a family of prolific wood carvers in the 20th century. The father, Carl Johan Trygg, is said to have carved over 40,000 figures in his lifetime. Carl John began wood carving people he saw in his everyday life – laborers, fishermen, the homeless, etc. He passed his knowledge down to his sons – Carl Olof and Lars.
The process begins with basswood, grown in the east coastal area of Sweden. The wood is dried for 6-8 months. The figures are then hand carved using axes, saws, and hews. Lastly, the figure is painted. Carl Olof does both the carving and the painting, whereas Lars does the carving while his wife does the painting. The process all together takes about 2 hours for every figure.Acquisition
Accession
2025.18Source or Donor
Charles V. Hogren, Anne L. Hogren WoodsonAcquisition Method
DonationMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Carl Olof TryggRole
Wood-carverDate made
1957Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Country
SwedenRegion
Northern EuropeContinent
EuropeInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionLocation
bottomTranscription
C.O. Trygg 1957 SwedenLanguage
EnglishMaterial/Technique
InkLexicon
LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Wood carving, Sculpture, BricklayersDimensions
Height
9-1/4 inWidth
6-3/8 inLength
7-1/4 inMaterial
Wood, nails, PaintReproductions
Notes
Reproduction of the Museum's artifacts for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires written permission.
