Andrew Christian American Spring Rocking Carousel Horse, C.1860'S

Lot description

Antique American carved wood "Improved Rocking" hobby horse, Andrew Christian (New York, c.1825-1871), c.1860s, country fair style horse with leather saddle and bridle, upholstered saddle blanket, remnants of natural hair mane and tail, in a worn polychrome-painted finish, mounted on a metal spring mechanism, affixed to curved wood base with central hand-painted landscape scene, retaining embossed metal maker's plaque with patent date 1861, stable splits, restoration to horse's front right leg, horse: approx 40.5"h, 34"w, 7"d, overall: approx 47.5"h, 42.5"w, 16.5"d Note: A pioneer in the toy manufacturing trade, Andrew Christian acquired several patents for children's toys, including an improvement on the scroll spring mechanism in his "Improved Rocking Horse" design. After Christian's death in 1871, his company's successor partnered with carousel manufacturer Charles W. F. Dare. Christian-style horses such as this one were fitted to early carousels as early as the 1860s, playing a pivotal role in the development of the country fair carousel style. This horse was obtained from the Nashville Antique Archeology store and published in Carousel News, August 2016.