Late 18th / Early 19th Georgian Articulated Toy Pull Along Dog Folk Art

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 ...

"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 This toy offers not only mechanical charm but also serves as a historical document, reflecting period attitudes and visual language.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 English Jig Doll A wonderful example of a late 19th century English jig doll called porkpie. A fully articulated hand carved feature. With amazing leather handcrafted boots and wearing a porkpie hat. A lovely example with wear and patination in all the right areas. Jig dolls are traditional wooden or tin-plate toys for adults or children. They are dolls with loose limbs that step dance...

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

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

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...

- Unusual folk, hobby horse trainer on wheels - Exudes charm and character - Usable & robust in good working order - Great collector's piece also ...

19th century articulated wooden figure We are proud to offer a rare survivor from the 19th century, in the form of a hand carved pine figure of a soldier. With a polychrome painted...

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 ...