Bittersweet House Folk Art The Swanson Heritage Santa A Tribute to Bothilda "Thilda" Swanson Cat# S617 Click on images for larger view Bothilda "Tilda" Swanson "Art is the thread that connects us to our ancestors." This Santa is the most personal piece in my collection. The coat design is a hand-painted replica of an **antique quilt made by my Swedish great-grandmother, Bothilda "Thilda" Swanson.** Tilda immigrated from Sweden to Chicago and eventually settled in **Shelbyville, Michigan**, where my mother was later born. This cherished quilt was used every Christmas by my mother as a tablecloth before she passed it down to me. **The Artistry:** To honor Thilda’s memory and her journey, I have carefully translated her hand-stitched patterns onto this Belsnickle figure. The design captures the heart of Swedish folk tradition and the quiet strength of the women who carried their culture across the ocean to the American Midwest. Of special note: This piece is cast in chalkware using a rare antique chocolate mold. Each figure is a labor of love—numbered, dated, and hand-signed to preserve our family's heritage for generations to come. See more unique items from Bittersweet House Folk Art featured in Wendy Mullen's new book "The Comprehensive Guide to Chocolate Molds: Objects of Art & Artists' Tools"