Carl Johan Trygg
Encyclopedia
Carl Johan Trygg, formally Carl Johan Thrygg, also knowns as C. J. Trygg, woodcarver, (1887 – 1954) was one of the recognized masters of twentieth century woodcarving
, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
. Between C. J. Trygg and his sons they carved over 10,000 figures. Many of his carvings were sold to tourists for approximately $10.00 USD. Adjusted for inflation
what cost $10.00 in 1929 would cost $108.05 in 2005.
. He was one of nine children of S. Sgt Carl Oskar Thrygg. At the age of 12 he left his home to make a living on his own. He worked as a clockmaker, a shoemaker, he also worked in a laundry, and a logging mill. He began carving wooden figures of various common people in the Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
.
He married Maria Axelina Andersson in 1909. A year later she gave birth to their son Carl Olaf Trygg
. In 1915 at the age of 28, he had a show of his carvings in Stockholm, Sweden
. It was after the success at this show he began wood carving as a full time career.
Carl Johan, at the age of 40, immigrated
to Canada
. He arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada
on March 3, 1928. Later that year (October 7, 1928) his Wife Maria (43), his sons Carl Olof (17) and Nils Johan
(13), and an unknown relative, possibly his daughter, Kally Maria Trygg (8) arrived in Halifax
. Carl Johan and his family eventually settled in Montreal, Canada and there they continued to carve.
Carl Johan's three sons, Nils, Lars and Carl Olaf were also woodcarvers. Another relative, Ellen Trygg also carved figures in the flat plane style. Her pieces are few and far between but the hobo motif is the theme of known pieces. Together they carved thousands of figures in the Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
. Between C. J. Trygg and his sons they carved over 10,000 figures. Many of his carvings were sold to tourists for approximately $10.00 USD. Adjusted for inflation
what cost $10.00 in 1929 would cost $108.05 in 2005.
Trygg was a craftsman in tune to the tourist trade. Trygg generally carved solo figures from basswood or pine
, and mounted them on a base. He had a stylized execution with clean cuts, working from a single piece of wood. A highlight of Trygg’s carvings is his use of vibrant paint. He often painted his character’s clothing in plaid.
Trygg family wood carvings are still sought after today as collectibles. There are over 10,000 carved figures that were manufactured by the members of the Trygg family. Prices range from $50 to $500 depending upon the age, size, and condition of the piece.
Signatures commonly found are:
Most of the carvings are dated and include the location carved. For example you may find a carving with "C.O. Trygg 1961 Sweden" meaning it was carved by Carl Olaf Trygg
in 1961 while he was living in Sweden
.
Wood carving
Wood carving is a form of working wood by means of a cutting tool in one hand or a chisel by two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine, or in the sculptural ornamentation of a wooden object...
, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
The Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving is a style of figure carving. The figures are carved in large flat planes, created primarily using a carving knife. Tool marks are left in the carving and very little rounding or sanding is done...
. Between C. J. Trygg and his sons they carved over 10,000 figures. Many of his carvings were sold to tourists for approximately $10.00 USD. Adjusted for inflation
Inflation
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...
what cost $10.00 in 1929 would cost $108.05 in 2005.
Early years
Carl Johan Trygg was born in 1887 in Skagershult, Närke, Örebro county, SwedenSweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. He was one of nine children of S. Sgt Carl Oskar Thrygg. At the age of 12 he left his home to make a living on his own. He worked as a clockmaker, a shoemaker, he also worked in a laundry, and a logging mill. He began carving wooden figures of various common people in the Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
The Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving is a style of figure carving. The figures are carved in large flat planes, created primarily using a carving knife. Tool marks are left in the carving and very little rounding or sanding is done...
.
He married Maria Axelina Andersson in 1909. A year later she gave birth to their son Carl Olaf Trygg
Carl Olaf Trygg
Carl Olof Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of 20th century woodcarving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving....
. In 1915 at the age of 28, he had a show of his carvings in Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. It was after the success at this show he began wood carving as a full time career.
Migrating to Canada
| Surname Surname A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"... : Trygg |
| Given name Given name A given name, in Western contexts often referred to as a first name, is a personal name that specifies and differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially in a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name... : Carl Johan |
| Age: 40 |
| Sex: M |
| Nationality Nationality Nationality is membership of a nation or sovereign state, usually determined by their citizenship, but sometimes by ethnicity or place of residence, or based on their sense of national identity.... : Sw Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
| Date of arrival: 1928/03/03 (YYYY/MM/DD) |
| Port of arrival: Halifax, Nova Scotia City of Halifax Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996... |
| Ship Ship Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,... : DROTTNINGHOLM , Swedish American |
| Reference: RG76 - IMMIGRATION Immigration Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence... , series C-1-b |
| Volume: 1928 volume 3 |
| Page: 17 |
| Microfilm reel: T-14812 |
Carl Johan, at the age of 40, immigrated
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
on March 3, 1928. Later that year (October 7, 1928) his Wife Maria (43), his sons Carl Olof (17) and Nils Johan
Nils Trygg
Nils Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of twentieth century woodcarving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. Nils Trygg was born in Småland, Sweden. He was one of three sons of Carl Johan Trygg and Maria Axelina Andersson...
(13), and an unknown relative, possibly his daughter, Kally Maria Trygg (8) arrived in Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
. Carl Johan and his family eventually settled in Montreal, Canada and there they continued to carve.
Carl Johan's three sons, Nils, Lars and Carl Olaf were also woodcarvers. Another relative, Ellen Trygg also carved figures in the flat plane style. Her pieces are few and far between but the hobo motif is the theme of known pieces. Together they carved thousands of figures in the Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
The Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving is a style of figure carving. The figures are carved in large flat planes, created primarily using a carving knife. Tool marks are left in the carving and very little rounding or sanding is done...
. Between C. J. Trygg and his sons they carved over 10,000 figures. Many of his carvings were sold to tourists for approximately $10.00 USD. Adjusted for inflation
Inflation
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...
what cost $10.00 in 1929 would cost $108.05 in 2005.
Trygg was a craftsman in tune to the tourist trade. Trygg generally carved solo figures from basswood or pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
, and mounted them on a base. He had a stylized execution with clean cuts, working from a single piece of wood. A highlight of Trygg’s carvings is his use of vibrant paint. He often painted his character’s clothing in plaid.
Return to Sweden
Carl Johan Trygg and Carl Olof Trygg eventually returned to Sweden, where they continued their careers. Carl Johan died there 1954-02-12 in Glimminge, Västra Karup, Sweden and Carl Olof, was producing figures well into the 1980s and he died in 1993-03-01 in Halmstad, Sweden.Trygg family of woodcarvers
- Carl Johan Trygg (1877–1954)
- Carl Olof Trygg (1910–1993)
- Nils Johan TryggNils TryggNils Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of twentieth century woodcarving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. Nils Trygg was born in Småland, Sweden. He was one of three sons of Carl Johan Trygg and Maria Axelina Andersson...
(1914–1951) - Lars TryggLars TryggLars Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of 20th century wood carving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving.-Early years:...
Trygg family wood carvings are still sought after today as collectibles. There are over 10,000 carved figures that were manufactured by the members of the Trygg family. Prices range from $50 to $500 depending upon the age, size, and condition of the piece.
Identifying Trygg woodcarvings
Trygg woodcarvings can be identified by the signatures and dates on the bases.Signatures commonly found are:
- Trygg carved on base. — Carl Johan Trygg (Generally)
- C.J. Trygg — Carl Johan Trygg
- C.O. Trygg — Carl Olaf TryggCarl Olaf TryggCarl Olof Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of 20th century woodcarving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving....
- L. Trygg — Lars TryggLars TryggLars Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of 20th century wood carving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving.-Early years:...
- N. E. Trygg — Nils TryggNils TryggNils Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of twentieth century woodcarving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. Nils Trygg was born in Småland, Sweden. He was one of three sons of Carl Johan Trygg and Maria Axelina Andersson...
- Hand Carved by Trygg — Carl Johan Trygg or Carl OlafCarl Olaf TryggCarl Olof Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of 20th century woodcarving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving....
, LarsLars TryggLars Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of 20th century wood carving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving.-Early years:...
, or NilsNils TryggNils Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of twentieth century woodcarving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. Nils Trygg was born in Småland, Sweden. He was one of three sons of Carl Johan Trygg and Maria Axelina Andersson... - Carved by Trygg Jr. — Carl OlafCarl Olaf TryggCarl Olof Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of 20th century woodcarving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving....
, LarsLars TryggLars Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of 20th century wood carving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving.-Early years:...
, or NilsNils TryggNils Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of twentieth century woodcarving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. Nils Trygg was born in Småland, Sweden. He was one of three sons of Carl Johan Trygg and Maria Axelina Andersson...
Most of the carvings are dated and include the location carved. For example you may find a carving with "C.O. Trygg 1961 Sweden" meaning it was carved by Carl Olaf Trygg
Carl Olaf Trygg
Carl Olof Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of 20th century woodcarving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving....
in 1961 while he was living in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.