Rocking horses

Rocking horses

Rocking horses

Rocking horses first appeared in the 17^th century and by the Victorian period had become a standard feature of the nursery.

Rockers will sharply board in the first half of the 19^th century, graduating in the second half to a gentle, safer curve.

Rocking horses

The 1880s and the 90s saw the introduction of the trestle mounted horse, less romantic looking but certainly more space-saving and less dangerous. 






Horses were carved out of blocks of wood usually pine beach were the preferred would they would be glued and tenanted together, and covered with

Gesso to smooth over the joints and then painted, traditionally in dapple grey.

Riders and saddles were made from leather real horse hair for the mane and tail.

Well-known manufacturers of rocking horses included G and J lines, Woodrow and co Norton and Baker and Frederick Ayers.

Rocking horses

Individual makers, however, can be hard to identify since many toys were either not stamped of identification marks were concealed by reprinting restoration.

Styles of rocking horses have changed very little in the 20^th century.

Vintage rocking horses for very desirable but values are affected by the soundness of the construction and the quality of the carving.

On a good head detail will be defined with flared nostrils and pricked ears.

Rocking horses

Although still desirable rocking horses that are found in the modern home of today

are more for decoration , than their original purpose of being a toy.

In recent years I have come across many good-quality rocking horses that have been the project of individual wood carvers .

Working  out of their garages and back garden sheds but still producing some excellent examples which i am sure will be here for a long time after I am gone.

Rocking horses

Prices vary from as high as £3000 .$4000 to as low as $750. £500 .what to look for quality of the carving condition of the course and age.

I hope you found this page on Rocking horses to be both informative and helpful.

Happy hunting from the collectable coach