Stunning Antique Carnival Horse Pull Toy

A beautiful horse sculpture made of wood, paper mache and various hair/fur coverings.  A leather saddle blanket and decorative old ribbons serve to decorate the horse in a lively carnival style, with old buttons and mirrors to accent. Plumes of feathers detail the headdress and saddle adornments of this lovely masterpiece, with tassels adorning parts of the headdress.

The harness itself is made of multicolored rope which threads through to a hand painted wooden perch with plumes of feathers. The hooves appear to be wooden.  The horse mane material is unknown, the tail appears to be horse hair.

There is a leather eye guard with mirrored buttons.  One of the mirror buttons is off the leather eye guard, but I have the piece.  The eyes are not glass, they are painted.

Unmarked but appears German, late 1800’s or early 1900's

Horse measures approximately 19" tall (with plume) x 20" long (including tail), x 5.5” wide.  Dimensions with base: 25" tall x 20" long by 5.5". Base is 22" by 8 1/2" Wooden platform is in good shape, wheels good.

Wear is consistent with age, however the piece is in excellent overall condition.  It appears that the right front leg, the one not mounted to the base, has had some repair at the torso.  I'm not sure when this would have been done.  The piece is a stunning example of a Victorian toy.

Note that I do not have documented history of this item. It has been in my family for 40 years. I have done research but I cannot find anything even remotely similar, let alone one is such great condition. Please view pictures as they are part of the description. Ask questions. I will be happy to supply additional pictures or even a video.