19th Century Folk-art Handmade Wooden Moving Drunken Figure Toy

An antique balance toy showing a cowboy on it's horse when it balance is the head and tale of the horse moving like also the cowboy This is totale han...

A charming and expressive 19th-century carved wooden rocking horse, retaining an appealing early painted surface with beautifully worn patina. The elongated, stylized form is hand-carved with exaggerated features—arched neck, sculpted ears, and a deeply carved mane—giving the piece a wonderfully naïve and folky presence. Original paint remains visible throughout in muted tones of black, green, red, and cream, softened by generations of use and natural age. The horse sits on its original bentwood rockers, joined by hand-forged nails and wooden pegs, with traces of old surface wear that speak to its long life and authenticity. The saddle form and tail are carved integral to the body, and the expressive head retains its original painted bridle details and wide-eyed character. This is a particularly evocative example of early children’s folk art...

"Articulated Cyclist Toy – Belgian Folk Art, Early 20th Century" Early 20th Century Belgian Folk Art Articulated Cyclist Toy Handcrafted Solid Wood — Rare Colonial-Era Subject — Mechanically Designed Pedaling Motion (Belt Missing) Description A rare and remarkable early 20th-century Belgian folk art toy, hand-carved entirely from solid wood, depicting a stylized Black cyclist mounted on a painted green bicycle. The figure is fully articulated and was originally designed with a mechanical belt-drive system (now absent) connecting the foot pedals to the rear wheel. When pushed forward, the toy was engineered to simulate a realistic cycling motion, animating the rider's legs in tandem with the rotation of the wheels. Materials & Construction Primary material: Solid wood (no plywood or laminates) Figure & Bicycle: Fully carved, hand-painted in polychrome (green, red, black, ochre) Mechanical features: Jointed limbs designed to move with crankshaft motion Metal-spoked wheels on rotating axles Pulley attachment points for original belt-drive (belt now missing) Dimensions: Length: 53 cm Height: 42 cm Condition: Structurally intact; expected surface wear and patina consistent with age; belt mechanism missing but all original pulley points and joints remain. Iconography & Cultural Context The cyclist is depicted as a Black male figure in a red cap and outlined uniform, rendered in a simplified, expressive style typical of early folk toys. The toy likely reflects Belgium's colonial presence in the Congo during the early 20th century (Congo Free State until 1908, Belgian Congo from 1908–1960). Such depictions were common in Belgian visual culture of the time, often appearing in children's media, toys, and public exhibitions. This toy offers not only mechanical charm but also serves as a historical document, reflecting period attitudes and visual language. It holds curatorial interest for ethnographic, toy history, and colonial-era cultural studies. Dating & Attribution Date: Circa 1900–1930 Origin: Likely Belgium Style: Folk art, with vernacular mechanics and colonial subject matter Comparison: Closely parallels German kinetic push toys...

A toy Airstream Folk Art styled travel trailer with silver faded and patina paint having a lift up back end and side door revealing beds, sink and livin...

19th century Belgium hand-carved child's toy. the wooden ball is attached to the base with a woven string. The child would toss the ball off the base and try to catch it back on the ...

Lots of charm and good condition for this 19th century papier mâché toy horse on wheels.

Set of 5 handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala horse toy. Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960. Materials: Wood In original condition, with...

19th century carved and painted wooden horse This is a superb piece of Folk Art, superbly carved in wood, the paint is original, it is quite br...

Late 19th Century Large Painted Folk Art Hobbyhorse with Sea Glass Eyes. America, 1880-1900. Measures: 26.5" H, 33" W, 11" D

Late 19th century articulated figure with a nicely detailed carved face, navy overalls and red-painted shirt, tie, and shoe.