Physical description

This rocking horse is made of iron and wood. The body, painted grey over white with black hooves, is made in two sections (top and bottom) with each leg joined on separately. Each back leg has a wood brace at the top and the body as a whole is gently shaped. The tail stump also appears to have been joined on separately and is surrounded with a band of leather, some studs but no hair. The head and neck are of cast iron mounted on a central panel of wood running along the upper neck. The head is screwed to each side of the body with two screws, though one of these is still covered in plaster. The head is hollow with pegs to the wood neck panel showing on the cheeks. There are no eyes but the open mouth and nostrils have some traces of red paint. One stud and a strap of leather are attached to the chest. The two rockers are of iron and each end is curled. There is a cross brace at each end between the rockers which widen out in the centre. The horse is mounted on four metal arms which are bolted onto the rockers.

Place of Origin

France (possibly, manufactured)

Date

ca. 1870 (manufactured)

Artist/maker

Unknown

Materials and Techniques

Carved woood and cast iron, painted

Object history note

Purchased by the Museum from Wade Galleries, 19 Camden Passage, London N1 [82/285]

Historical context note

By 1852 in France, rocking horses were mounted on iron rockers and the bodies frequently covered with hide. This might account for the condition of this horse. There was a patent secured in 1869, in France, by M. Klein for a child's horse with a head made of stamped metal.

Descriptive line

Wooden rocking horse possibly made in France in about 1870

Materials

Wood; Cast iron

Techniques

Casting; Painting; Carving

Subjects depicted

Horses (animals); Rocking horses

Categories

Children & Childhood; Animals and Wildlife; Play

Collection

Museum of Childhood