A staple in many a Nordic home, trolls' status as good luck charms have made them a subject of curiosity for decades
With unruly tufts of hair and a charming little smile, the Danish troll is an endearing creature. He was born many years ago deep in the wilderness, and as rumours of his good luck echoed across the north, the mythological creature became a centrepiece in Nordic homes.
Danish trolls are believed to have an anthropomorphic form and are considered very alike to their human neighbours. Perhaps it's the striking resemblance and sense of familiarity that encourages our strident curiosity in their kind. But this fascination hasn't stopped the spread of common misconceptions about Danish trolls – true believers will tell you they're a far cry from the frightening creatures lurking under bridges who tend to populate many a fairytale.
Nevertheless, there are plenty of scary stories out there about Danish trolls too. Legend has it that in southern Denmark, in a small town called Vojens, an arm and hand came sneaking out of a cave clawing at the legs of teenagers as they gathered by the ancient burial mound on a hot summer’s night. It’s also believed to be the home of a rather old, unfriendly troll who’s well known to cause a scene. Trolls' bad reputation extends to eastern Jutland in Mitby, where they supposedly brim with angsty rage, throwing rocks at churches in a bid to knock them down. On the side of the town’s hill, a visibly large crater remains from one such attack.
One of the most popular tales is that of Krølle Bølle, the mischievous curly bully who inhabits the Danish island of Bornholm. Bestowed with two small horns that peek through his curly hair, he explores the island in the dark at night, fumbling around with a sly stride.
Yet not all of Denmark's trolls are quite so sinister. Gjøl, otherwise known as Thomas Dam, rebuilt their reputation in the 1940s. Following the hardship of the Second World War, Dam longed to surprise his daughter with a memorable Christmas present, and with his intrinsic commitment to preserving folklore, he took to his studio to design a gift. As it so happened, it took the form of a mythical creature which quickly became the talk of the town.
Throughout his childhood, Dam often listened to his parents recall tales of Gjøl trolls, creatures who hid in the hills to wreak havoc in the town. Yet he couldn’t understand the premise of wanting to scare children and have them quiver in fear in their beds. Dam believed in the good of others and was eager to turn the trolls' tales around, so with blocks of strawberry-scented rubber and a vision of rebuilding trolls' reputation, he conceived of the Goodluck troll: a happy creature and loyal companion.
Dam take on trolls quickly became coveted interior items. What was once a childhood toy became a lifelong companion. And while they may not conventionally beautiful, they are at least eye-catching. “They were so ugly that you couldn’t help but laugh,” Dam once said, “and when you laugh, luck follows you.”
Today, the figurines are a well-loved presence in many a home. “Thomas Dam’s trolls are an important part of Danish culture and folklore," says Karin Schandorff, Danish interior designer and founder of Little Chelsea. "No wonder it's easy to find them inside our homes – in books, art or sculpture.”
The trolls we find in our homes blend quirky characteristics with Nordic minimalism which, when combined, perfectly reflects the eclectic pulse of Scandinavian living. With a hint of personality, each troll tells a story and represents a new meaning. They say home is where the heart is or so the saying goes, so while interior trends come and go, the troll always stays.
If a belief in trolls and bringing them into your humble abode encourages a new sense of optimism, then that’s where they should be. And if you ever notice your troll is missing and wonder where he could be, he might be busy skateboarding or on a modern day adventure up North.