Great Folk Art Elephant Riding Toy

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...

This colorful fortune wheel alebrije is made by Agustín Cruz Tinoco in Oaxaca Mexico. “I came up with the idea as a toy for children,” says Mexican master wood carver Agustin Cruz ...

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 This toy offers not only mechanical charm but also serves as a historical document, reflecting period attitudes and visual language.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

Early 20th Century Folk art English Articulated Toy Dog Form A very unusual and quirky example of an early 20th century English folk art articulated weighted jaw toy dog. Made from ...

A vintage Folk Art painted iron old child riding horse from the mid-20th century mounted on a new custom base. Born in the first half of the 20th century, this charming vintage iron piece features a brown and black painted iron galloping horse mounted on a rectangular custom-made metal base. Its nicely weathered appearance and naive treatment will make this Folk Art 1940s...

Hand-sewn black leather stuffed elephant figurine toy. He will make a wonderful gift for anyone who loves elephants. In the style of Dimitri Omersa'...

Overscale vintage carved wood Folk Art Toy train set Offered for sale is an overscale vintage carved wood folk art toy train set. The set includes 3 s...

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

Manufactured in the mid 1930s by J. Chein & Company in Harrison, New Jersey, this vintage wind-up toy depicts a boy riding an alligator. A wound-up clockwork key powers the alligator...

Handmade antique child's wood Folk Art sleigh.