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Japanese Antique Wooden Horse Tricycle 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi Object
$2,500
£1,905.05
€2,197.04
CA$3,550.75
A$3,815.08
CHF 2,046.78
MX$44,946.05
About the Item
This is an old wooden tricycle made in Japan during the Meiji period (1860s–1900s).
An exceptionally rare piece in the history of Japanese toys, it was once used by children more than a century ago.
During times of war and poverty, such a handmade wooden tricycle would have been a luxury—likely owned only by children of the affluent few.
Reflecting on that era, one cannot help but feel the depth of history and emotion carried within this small object.
Crafted from traditional Japanese sugi (cedar) wood, the body of the horse is boldly carved from a single block and assembled with iron handles and wheels.
The seat retains its original fabric wrapping, now beautifully aged and worn, with subtle tears and faded tones that speak of the passage of time.
The right pedal is missing—a quiet reminder of its long life—yet this imperfection enhances its individuality and poetic beauty.
The rust on the iron, the cracks in the wood, the peeling of the paint—each trace is not accidental but the natural outcome of more than a hundred years of existence.
Made by human hands, cherished by children, and then left to rest, the tricycle now stands in silence, transcending its role as a toy.
It is no longer merely a plaything, but a sculpture of time—a form shaped by memory, use, and decay.
Within this piece resides the Japanese spirit of wabi-sabi—beauty found in imperfection and transience.
The contrast between wood and iron, the textures weathered by age, and the quiet dignity of its form make it utterly unique.
It radiates a calm yet powerful presence, as if time itself had taken shape.
Though its days of play have ended, this wooden tricycle now finds new meaning as an art piece—bringing warmth, depth, and quiet poetry into contemporary spaces.
Weight: 5.5 kg
_________________________
Our Philosophy
Objects always tell the truth.
All I can do is just to face with them sincerely and give
them deep affection as much as I can.
There is no boundary of nationalities and of eras in beauty.
But I think now is the time we choose 'Japanese style' and it
will be the best way to remind us of what we are losing
today and to question us about an essence of beauty again.
I hope that you can touch the memories which the objects here have,
feel and think of something invisible but exists undoubtedly.
- Dimensions:Height: 21.26 in (54 cm)Width: 31.11 in (79 cm)Depth: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Style:Primitive (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1860s-1900s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chōsei District Nagara, JP
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU10403247450142
About the Seller
4.8
Platinum Seller
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Established in 2017
1stDibs seller since 2025
73 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 3 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Chōsei District Nagara, Japan
- Return Policy
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