1 of 20

Early 19th Century Large Dappled Grey Bow Rocking Horse, circa 1820-1830

$5,442List Price

About the Item

The large and early 19th century dappled grey rocking horse on bow rocker, at almost seven feet wide, the well carved painted and gessoed horse having pricked ears, flared nostrils and open mouth, the eye sockets vacant, the body with a leather and embroidery saddle back, the horse with outstretched legs, the tail lacking, mounted on an ash bow rocker with two layers of period paint, black over an earlier green, rounded ends and turned cross-pieces and surviving in un-meddled with country-house condition. The horse remains totally original and un-meddled with; the eyes and tail are lacking and there are some splits and losses to the whole as photographed. We have carried out some remdial work so that she is fully stabile and rocks well. There is a general loss of gesso and the paint is rubbed, the earlier Georgian green to the rockers has a later black coat which is probably mid-Victorian, with some sections such as the cheeks to the legs lacking and one footboard missing. Overall it is undeniably hugely decoratively appealing. If there were a makers mark present it is now lacking though there is a small carpenters mark to the body. There is one stirrup remaining and some remains of the reins. The horse on bow rockers that we know and love today was a product of eighteenth century England and was popular with the wealthy with it being said they were used to help develop children's' balance for the riding of real horses. Spotted or dappled rocking horses started to appear in the late 18th to early 19th centuries and they were usually white with black spots, as we see with this example. Horses were carved, roughly rasped and then covered with gesso which was also known as whitening and looks like plaster. This was far easier to rub down than the wood itself and gave a very smooth finish on which to paint. However, it was a very time-consuming process whereby the gesso was applied hot, in multiple coats, with sanding in-between and each coat could take up to ten hours to dry. An early example and a mouth-wateringly beautiful one at that.

Dimensions:
Height: 45.5 in (115.57 cm)Width: 79.5 in (201.93 cm)Depth: 16 in (40.64 cm)
Style:
Regency (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Ash,Gesso,Pine,Hand-Painted
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
Early 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1820-1830
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading. Please see description for full condition report and photographs for visual reference.
Seller Location:
Bedford, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 19381stDibs: LU1944313912382

Antique 19th Century French Toys

Materials

Wood

19th Century Carved Wooden Rocking Horse

$1,928

H 37.41 in W 42.13 in D 15.36 in

Monumental 19th Century Rocking Horse with Original Paint

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This very fine country rocking horse is not only fantastic looking and all original paint it is sturdy and strong. The pony skin is worn as well as the saddle but all in tack.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Adirondack Toys

Materials

Wood, Leather

Monumental 19th Century Rocking Horse with Original Paint

$3,250

H 30 in W 30 in D 18 in

19th Century English G. J. Lines Nursery Rocking Horse

By G & J Lines

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Wonderful 19th Century nursery rocking horse by G. J. Lines. This charming horse features a wonderfully detailed head, with a dished face and flared nostrils. He retains hi...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Country Toys

Materials

Pine

19th Century English G. J. Lines Nursery Rocking Horse

$5,703

H 40.95 in W 47.25 in D 16.15 in

19th Century Italian Painted Wood Rocking Horse

Located in Atlanta, GA

19th century Italian painted wood rocking horse.

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Toys

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Italian Painted Wood Rocking Horse

$3,450

H 36 in W 52 in D 12 in

Mid 19th Century Antique Wooden Rocking Horse on Stand

Located in Stamford, CT

A wonderful mid 19th Century folk working wooden rocking horse painted in early white paint, with glass eyes {one missing} real mane and tail hair, leather saddle on a wooden frame. ...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Toys

Materials

Wood

Mid 19th Century Antique Wooden Rocking Horse on Stand

$995

H 29 in W 42 in D 14.5 in

Fetching Folk Art British 19th Century Rocking Horse with Glass Eyes

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Wonderful 19th century nursery rocking horse having charming detailed head with a dished face and flared nostrils. He retains his original saddle and leather stirrups and is mounted ...

Category