Øien trolls have been around for many decades, but it wasn’t until 2021 when troll collectors learned the name of the woodcarver who made them.
It is most common to find Øien male trolls, although the woodcarver also created a male and female pair.
Example of a typical Øien male troll:
Examples of Øien troll couples:
The troll design is similar to that of Otto Sveen and for many years Øien trolls were mistaken for Otto Sveen trolls due to this. It was widely assumed that the name “Øien,” signed on the bottom of the trolls’ feet, referred to a location in Norway where the trolls were originally sold, rather than identifying the actual creator. On 30 May 2021, I happened to come across a 1975 Øien troll that had a small information booklet tied to it. The booklet confirmed that the troll was hand carved by Ole Øien from Askim, Norway. A brief history of trolls is included in the booklet:
“In olden Norwegian folklore “TROLL” or “JOTNER” were names given to giant-like, supernatural creatures which could have a friendly or hostile disposition to ordinary people. They were always huge and often ugly, living in the mountains in countries far north. It was believed that they kidnapped people and were aided by their beautifully attractive daughters. Several large mountain ranges, such as Trollheimen, Trolltindane and Jotunheimen ranges, where Norway’s highest mountains are to be found, get their names from such creatures.“
On the back of the booklet is a personal message from Ole Øien which reads:
“I hope you will appreciate this TROLL which I have carved completely by hand. Please put him in a nice place in your home as a memory of Norway.“
According to Kåre Øien (the younger of Ole’s two sons): “My father was born in 1899 in Sør Trøndelag. He started a woodcarving factory (for furniture decorations and tree lamps) in Egersund abt. 1935, before moving his family to Askim abt. 1951. His occupation in Askim was fine mechanics in a freezer counter factory. Woodcarving of trolls for the tourist industry was for extra family income. He loved his woodcarving works, and continued until he was abt. 92 years old (he died in 1997). He also carved a son to the troll couple (man and woman).“
Ole Øien signed his trolls by carving “Øien” underneath one of the troll’s shoes. The other shoe typically contains a white stamp that says “HANDCARVED IN NORWAY”:
On some examples, he carved the full year in which the troll was made:
His earliest trolls date back to the 1950s and were not signed in the same way. They included a unique sticker which appears to showcase his initials:
There were likely hundreds of Øien trolls produced and they all have the same distinct features:
Øien trolls were mostly sold as tourist souvenirs at stores such as Husfliden – a well-known chain in Norway. Husfliden originated as part of the Norwegian folk art and crafts movement (husflidsbevegelsen) in the late 1800s, which aimed to preserve and promote traditional Norwegian handicrafts like weaving, knitting, woodcarving, and embroidery.
While detailed biographical information about Ole Øien is limited, his carvings are sought after by troll collectors and those interested in Norwegian folk art.
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