Lars Trygg was born in Sweden. 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.
He was one of three children of Carl Johan Trygg and Maria Axelina Andersson. Many of his carvings were sold to tourists for approximately $10.00 United States dollar. Adjusted for inflation what cost $10.00 in 1929 would cost $108.05 in 2005. Carl Johan Trygg 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.
lieutenant is not clear whether Lars Trygg returned to Sweden or stayed in Montreal, Canada
Trygg family of woodcarvers
Carl Johan Trygg (1877–1954)
Carl Olof Trygg (1910-1993)
Lars Trygg
Nils East. Trygg
Trygg family woodcarvings are still sought after today as collectibles. 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)
Chief Justice Trygg — Carl Johan Trygg
Commanding Officer Trygg — Carl Olof Trygg
L. Trygg — Lars Trygg
North. East. Trygg — Nils Trygg
Hand Carved by Trygg — Carl Johan Trygg or Carl Olaf, Lars, or Nils
Carved by Trygg Junior.
— Carl Olaf, Lars, or Nils
Most of the carvings are dated and include the location carved. Foreign example, you may find a carving with "Commanding Officer Trygg 1961 Sweden" meaning it was carved by Carl Olof Trygg in 1961 while he was living in Sweden.
There are over 10,000 carved figures that were manufactured by the members of the Trygg family.
