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 This toy offers not only mechanical charm but also serves as a historical document, reflecting period attitudes and visual language.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

Large collection of tin 1900s Edwardian miniature toy figures. A few tin houses a shed, gazebo's, flower arches, lots of trees and shrubs. Dovecote, pretty fences, a bench, a parrot tree, a birdcage, a plant Stand, a fountain, farm animals and lots of human figures in Edwardian clothing about: 29 trees (trees shrubs, palmtrees) 11 decorative fences 2 arches 18 figures (girl with dog, a couple, lady with...

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 nice vintage wooden Biplane Model. The plane is built like the original with a pilot and rubber wheels and a metal propeller. A handsome addition to a shelf, console or Childs ...

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.

These antique toys were made by the Schoenhut piano company in the 1920s. Part of the Humpty-Dumpty circus series. they are made from solid wood and have articulated limbs so they can be maneuvered in different poses. The joints are made with rope. The figures are both in good yet used condition. Completely original with lots of patina, some scuffs and scratches. No missing parts and all the joints are functioning. Highly decorative and over a hundred years old. The Schoenhut Piano Company was an American manufacturer of toy pianos...

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 ...

Steel toy crane with lots of appeal. It is plain and pretty, sitting on four wheels. The hook really works well.

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

Set of 16 highly original miniature furniture. It consist of a dining table with 4 chairs, 2 beds with night stands and an occasional chair an a l...