Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll with Beaded Eyes

20th C folk art carved boy doll with original clothes. Hand painted face and shoes.

A charming early 20th century Chinese door of hope missionary doll of an elderly gentleman. A notably early example, in original untouched condition. The painted face has a particul...

"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 This toy offers not only mechanical charm but also serves as a historical document, reflecting period attitudes and visual language.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...

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

Wonderful 19th century nursery rocking horse having charming detailed head with a dished face and flared nostrils. He retains his original saddle and leather stirrups and is mounted ...

Toy Noah’s Arks for children to play with were very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century, and Germany was very prolific in their production. This particular ark is all ori...

Early 19th Century English Tiny Clogs, Children's or Doll Shoes English clogs and is made from leather and has wooden soles The shoes has a tongue, stitching and nails. They are in ...

Folk Art carnival punks / knockdown dolls composed of canvas forms lined with cotton fur supported by carved wood bases for added stability / weight, c...

A wooden decorative sculpture of a horse created in early 20th century France. Playfully painted, and caught mid-pose, this charming horse ...

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...