Canvas Toys

This Marx Toys Wind up Chariot and Horses is a vintage mechanical toy representing a red chariot dragged by two painted tin horses. Original...

Vintage carnival punk. Unusual goat named "Billie". Knock "Billie" over and win the prize.

Handmade tabletop carnival game modeled after the classic "high striker" strength tester, constructed from wood with a tall vertical scoring tower and spr...

This colorful fortune wheel alebrije is made by Agustín Cruz Tinoco in Oaxaca Mexico. “I came up with the idea as a toy for children,” says Mexican master wood carver Agustin Cruz ...

Early 20th century aunt sally english fairground game. We share what we love, and we love this oversized early 20th Century example of a carved wood Fairground Aunt Sally knock do...

Own a wonderful piece of Americana / early fair ground / amusement park / carnival folk art history, with this charming authentic mid-century painted wood and metal midway carousel r...

Early 20th Century English Ventriloquist Dummy An unusual example of a hand-crafted early 20th Century English ventriloquist dummy. With tailored made velour outfit with pearl but...

"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...

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

Large-scale Folk Art Carnival game board, American, circa 1940s. This painted carnival game board came from Texas and combines wonderfully patinate...

Unusual vintage papier mâché Folk Art..parade "carnival" theater mask.

An exquisite continental foal baby horse from the early 20th century mounted on iron base. This joyful foal is caught in mid leap as it’s possibly just lear...

Very early American circus or carnival Sideshow Banner, circa 1890-1900. Fantastic paint detail. Great example of American folk art banner painting. The Great American African Camel...

A rare monumental fairground double target game board inscribed “ 3 Darts for 2d and Score 25 or Over”. Hand painted wood and wire. A wonderful collectors item. MD

A refined and unique toy car made of wrought iron, with a wooden frame painted in tempera in shades of blue and green. The car is in good condition and fully f...