An antique rocking horse is a beautiful thing. They bring back images of a time when children were happy with innocent play, before the days of toys and video games that rang and exploded. A real antique horse can cost thousands of dollars, but how old are they and how can you tell the real thing from the fake?
In the US, toy horses were made as early as the 17th century by parents in their workshops as gifts for their children. These were generally simple toys, and rocking mechanisms came later. In Europe bow horses were made around 1750 and rocking horses on a swing were made around 1880. The dates are similar for the US.
An ancient rocking horse from Europe is very different from one from America. Americans are often called vintage ‘folk art’ horses. The designs are simple and the manes and tails are usually made of horsehair. If saddles and backs are left over, they will be made of leather. Some were painted and others were polished or left natural.
European horses, especially British ones, mostly date from about 1870-1920. Again, the manes and tails were made of fur and the tack was leather, often fastened with brass clasps. They were usually painted. They don’t usually have a manufacturer’s name, but some do, with the three largest manufacturers being Collinsons (1836-1993), FH Ayres (19th and early 20th century), and Tri-Ang Lines, who also made covered rocking horses. of skin
So how do you know the horse you’re looking at is an ancient rocking horse? First, it will look old! But be careful! The old can be faked. You need to know where to look. First, look at the delicate parts of the horse: ears, lower face, around the eyes, and legs. Most importantly, look at the seat. An antique rocking horse should have signs of wear, not only on the paint, but also on the weathered wood in places where the chair has rubbed. Also, the kidneys may have rubbed around the neck.
Second, the tack. On a vintage rocking horse, this is almost always leather. A carved and painted saddle is unusual for a true rocking horse. Make sure the leather is worn. Again, take a special look at the saddle seat. A European one will probably have brass tacks to fix it, but this is not always the case. Nails and other metal fixings can artificially rust, so be careful.
Third, the mane and tail of an antique rocking horse will almost always have been real horse or cow hair. If you find one with a carved mane, it’s probably newer than you thought.
There are some very excellent companies that make reproduction horses and they should not be confused with a fake antique horse. If you do your research, check out some photos online, and buy from a reputable dealer, you shouldn’t have any problems and you’ll be enjoying your old horse.