Belgium - Toys

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...

"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 This toy offers not only mechanical charm but also serves as a historical document, reflecting period attitudes and visual language.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 original Steiff Turtle "sit on" and "pull toy," circa 1950s. Has original pull chord and original rubber wheels with red painted sides; original bar over the top. All original pain...

Very beautiful children's rocking chair in beech plywood minimalist craftsmanship the design of the rocking chair is essentially a nod to the shape of a swinging banana!

Weathered Folk Art Miniature Shop Counter, Europe, 1950s. This miniature shop counter likely started its life as a well loved toy. Now is a very attractive decorative folk art piece...

Large vintage Santos doll, a "lay figure" or mannequin with moving parts, made of resin and metal. This doll represents the Virgin Mary and is a nice coll...

Charming wooden toy horse, always a great decorative item in a child’s room.

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