Carl Johan Trygg (1887–1954), formally ''Carl Johan Thrygg'', also knowns as C. J. Trygg, also kwas a

woodcarver Wood carving (or woodcarving) is a form of woodworking by means of a cutting tool (knife) 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 sculpture, ...

and one of the recognized masters of twentieth century

woodcarving Wood carving (or woodcarving) is a form of woodworking by means of a cutting tool (knife) 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 ...

, 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 US$10.00. Adjusted for inflation what cost $10.00 in 1929 would cost $108.05 in 2005.

Early years

Carl Johan Trygg was born in 1887 in Skagershult,

Örebro County Örebro County () is a county or '' län'' in central Sweden. It borders the counties of Västra Götaland, Värmland, Dalarna, Västmanland, Södermanland and Östergötland. It is frequently culturally divided into the hilly northern region of ...

, Sweden. 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 Carl Olof Trygg (December 21, 1910 – 1993), was one of the recognized masters of 20th century Wood carving, woodcarving, most famous for Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. Trygg was born in Stora Tuna, Kopparberg county, Dalarna, Swe ...

. In 1915 at the age of 28, he had a show of his carvings in

Stockholm, Sweden Stockholm (; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, most populous city of Sweden, as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately ...

. It was after the success at this show he began wood carving as a full-time career.

Migrating to Canada

Trygg, at the age of 40, immigrated to Canada. He arrived in

Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax is the capital and most populous municipality of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and the most populous municipality in Atlantic Canada. As of 2024, it is estimated that the population of the H ...

, Canada on 3 March 1928. Later that year (7 October 1928) his Wife Maria (43), his sons Carl Olof (17) and Nils Johan (13), and his daughter, Kally Maria Trygg (8) arrived in Halifax. Carl Johan and his family eventually settled in

Montreal, Quebec Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

, 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 US$10.00. 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 A pine is any conifer tree or shrub in the genus ''Pinus'' () of the family Pinaceae. ''Pinus'' is the sole genus in the subfamily Pinoideae. ''World Flora Online'' accepts 134 species-rank taxa (119 species and 15 nothospecies) of pines as cu ...

, 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 12 February 1954 in Glimminge, Västra Karup, Sweden and Carl Olof, was producing figures well into the 1980s and he died in 1 March 1993 in Halmstad, Sweden.

Examples of carvings

Image:cjtrygghobo1.jpg,

Woodcarving Wood carving (or woodcarving) is a form of woodworking by means of a cutting tool (knife) 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 ...

of a

hobo A hobo is a migrant worker in the United States. Hoboes, tramps, and bums are generally regarded as related, but distinct: a hobo travels and is willing to work; a tramp travels, but avoids work if possible; a bum neither travels nor works. Et ...

by Carl Johan Trygg circa 1940s Image:cjtrygghobo2.jpg, Closeup of face

of a

by Carl Johan Trygg circa 1940s

The legacy

Trygg family of woodcarvers

* Carl Johan Trygg (1877–1954) * Carl Olof Trygg (1910–1993) * Nils Johan Trygg (1914–1951) * Lars Trygg 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'' —

* ''L. Trygg'' — Lars Trygg * ''N. E. Trygg'' —

Nils Trygg Nils Trygg (1914–1951) was one of the recognized masters of twentieth century woodcarving, most famous for the Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. Nils Trygg was born in Småland, Sweden. He was one of three sons of Carl Johan Tryg ...

* ''Hand Carved by Trygg'' — Carl Johan Trygg or Carl Olaf,

Lars Lars is a common male name in Scandinavian countries. Origin ''Lars'' means "from the city of Laurentum". Lars is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel", and is therefore related to the name ...

, or Nils * ''Carved by Trygg Jr.'' — Carl Olaf,

, or Nils 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

in 1961 while he was living in Sweden. File:Hobo5.JPG,

signature Image:Ggolf4.JPG, Lars Trygg signature

Notes

# Carl Johan Trygg was born Carl Johan Thrygg. It is unknown why Carl Johan dropped the "h" from his family name. #

References

* * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Trygg, Carl Johan 1887 births 1954 deaths Swedish woodcarvers People from Laxå Municipality