Skip to main content
Items Similar to Articulated Cyclist Toy – Belgian Folk Art, Early 20th Century
Early 20th Century Folk art English Articulated Toy Dog Form
Early 20th Century Folk art English Articulated Toy Dog Form
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Puppet Figure
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Puppet Figure
Early 20th Century Toy Noah's Ark, German
Early 20th Century Toy Noah's Ark, German
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Shoes
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Shoes
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Sideburns
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Sideburns
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Articulated Cyclist Toy – Belgian Folk Art, Early 20th Century

$1,642.22
£1,230.95
€1,390
CA$2,256.13
A$2,518.76
CHF 1,319.79
MX$30,832.06
NOK 16,761.36
SEK 15,803.83
DKK 10,581.19

About the Item

"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 of the period in mechanical ambition but stands out for its subject matter and larger scale Rarity & Collectibility This toy is a scarce survivor of early 20th-century kinetic folk craftsmanship, notable for: Its substantial size and entirely solid wood construction The original pedaling mechanism design, now partially lost but evident Its cultural and ethnographic significance as a Belgian artifact with colonial representation A compelling display presence and educational value for museum or private collectors
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)Width: 20.87 in (53 cm)Depth: 1.97 in (5 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Wood,Carved,Hand-Painted
  • Place of Origin:
    Belgium
  • Period:
    Early 20th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    20th century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. normal age traces.
  • Seller Location:
    Bilzen, BE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU10361246058142

More From This Seller

View All
Antique balance toy Galloping Cowboy Moving , handpainted forged iron, 19th C.
Located in Bilzen, BE
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...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Folk Art Toys

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique balance toy Galloping Cowboy Moving , handpainted forged iron, 19th C.

Antique balance toy Galloping Cowboy Moving , handpainted forged iron, 19th C.

$909
Senufo Seated Female Figure – Early 20th Century
By Senufo
Located in Bilzen, BE
Senufo Seated Female Figure – Early 20th Century Region: Northern Ivory Coast / Burkina Faso / Mali Culture: Senufo Medium: Wood, organic fibers, cowrie shells, pigment Height: 33 cm...
Category

Early 20th Century Ivorian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Senufo Seated Female Figure – Early 20th Century

Senufo Seated Female Figure – Early 20th Century

$10,633
Mangbetu Female Figure, D.R. Congo, early 20th century
By Mangbetu People
Located in Bilzen, BE
Mangbetu Female Figure Northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire) Early to mid-20th century, likely Lang period (c. 1920–1945) Hardwood Height: 45 cm Provenance: Privat...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Mangbetu Female Figure, D.R. Congo, early 20th century

Mangbetu Female Figure, D.R. Congo, early 20th century

$1,831
Kuba Wooden Neck Rest (early 20th Century) Dr Congo
By Kuba
Located in Bilzen, BE
Authentic Kuba Wooden Headrest Democratic Republic of Congo, Early 1900s Hand-carved hardwood with incised geometric motifs Dimensions: heigth 14 cm, width 18 cm Description: A rare...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Kuba Wooden Neck Rest (early 20th Century) Dr Congo

Kuba Wooden Neck Rest (early 20th Century) Dr Congo

$626
Antique Carved Wood Cane – folk art, Fantastical Handle , 19th century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Antique Carved Wood Cane – Fantastical Handle Featuring a Dragon, Salamander, and Rabbit Head This striking hand-carved wooden walking stick is a true piece of folk art imagination, ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved Wood Cane – folk art, Fantastical Handle , 19th century

Antique Carved Wood Cane – folk art, Fantastical Handle , 19th century

$1,027
Rare Baule Male Spirit Figure (Blolo Bian) — Early 20th Century
By Baule Tribe
Located in Bilzen, BE
Rare Baule Male Spirit Figure (Blolo Bian) — Early 20th Century Origin: Baule people, Côte d’Ivoire Period: Early 20th century (circa 1900–1930) Material: Hardwood with dark ritual p...
Category

Early 20th Century Ivorian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Rare Baule Male Spirit Figure (Blolo Bian) — Early 20th Century

Rare Baule Male Spirit Figure (Blolo Bian) — Early 20th Century

$3,544 / item

You May Also Like

Early 20th Century Folk art English Articulated Toy Dog Form
Located in London, GB
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 ...
Category

Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Toys

Materials

Faux Leather

Early 20th Century Folk art English Articulated Toy Dog Form

Early 20th Century Folk art English Articulated Toy Dog Form

$1,217
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll A great example of an early 20th century English hand carved folk art articulated jigger doll. With charming hand carved boots, moustache and top hat, metal pins in its joints for articulation purposes. Stood on a metal wire stand...
Category

Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Toys

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll

$1,632
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Puppet Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English folk art puppet figure We share what we love, and we love this early 20th century articulated folk art puppet figure. Made from hand carved pin, The base (handle) moves up and down to animate the puppets head. Arms are moved with the sticks. Original linen clothes...
Category

Vintage 1920s European Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Puppet Figure

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Puppet Figure

$1,122
Early 20th Century Toy Noah's Ark, German
Located in Incline Village, NV
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...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Toys

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Toy Noah's Ark, German

Early 20th Century Toy Noah's Ark, German

$1,650 / set
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Shoes
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll A great example of an early 20th century English hand carved folk art articulated jigger doll. With brilliantly shaped shoes, moustache and top hat. Stood on a wire stand...
Category

Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Toys

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Shoes

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Shoes

$1,632
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Sideburns
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Jigger Doll A great example of an early 20th century American hand carved folk art articulated jigger doll. With brilliantly shaped body and hand painted facial features with cool side burns. Stood on a wire stand...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Folk Art Toys

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Sideburns

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Sideburns

$1,632