Lars Trygg
Encyclopedia
Lars Trygg, woodcarver, was one of the recognized masters of 20th century wood carving
, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
.
. He was one of three children of Carl Johan Trygg
and Maria Axelina Andersson. Lars worked with his father carving wooden figures of various common people in the Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
. He immigrated to Canada
with his family in the late 1920s Between Lars Trygg his father and two brothers (Nils, and Carl Olaf), 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.
and Carl Olof Trygg eventually returned to Sweden, where they continued their careers. Carl Johan died there 1954 and Carl Olaf, based on the dates on his carvings
, was producing figures well into the 1980s. It is not clear whether Lars Trygg returned to Sweden
or stayed in Montreal, Canada
Trygg family woodcarvings 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 Olof 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...
.
Early years
Lars Trygg was born in 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 three children of Carl Johan Trygg
Carl Johan Trygg
Carl Johan Trygg, formally Carl Johan Thrygg, also knowns as C. J. Trygg, woodcarver, 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...
and Maria Axelina Andersson. Lars worked with his father 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 immigrated 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...
with his family in the late 1920s Between Lars Trygg his father and two brothers (Nils, and Carl Olaf), 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.
Return to Sweden
Carl Johan TryggCarl Johan Trygg
Carl Johan Trygg, formally Carl Johan Thrygg, also knowns as C. J. Trygg, woodcarver, 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...
and Carl Olof Trygg eventually returned to Sweden, where they continued their careers. Carl Johan died there 1954 and Carl Olaf, based on the dates on his carvings
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...
, was producing figures well into the 1980s. It is not clear whether Lars Trygg returned to 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....
or stayed in Montreal, Canada
Trygg family of woodcarvers
- Carl Johan TryggCarl Johan TryggCarl Johan Trygg, formally Carl Johan Thrygg, also knowns as C. J. Trygg, woodcarver, 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...
(1877–1954) - Carl Olof Trygg (1910-19??)
- Lars Trygg
- Nils E. 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...
Trygg family woodcarvings 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 TryggCarl Johan TryggCarl Johan Trygg, formally Carl Johan Thrygg, also knowns as C. J. Trygg, woodcarver, 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...
(Generally) - C.J. Trygg — Carl Johan TryggCarl Johan TryggCarl Johan Trygg, formally Carl Johan Thrygg, also knowns as C. J. Trygg, woodcarver, 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...
- C.O. Trygg — Carl Olof Trygg
- L. Trygg — Lars Trygg
- 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 TryggCarl Johan TryggCarl Johan Trygg, formally Carl Johan Thrygg, also knowns as C. J. Trygg, woodcarver, 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...
or Carl Olaf, Lars, 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 Olaf, Lars, 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 Olof Trygg 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....
.