Carousel horse
1885
Poplar wood, horse hair, paint, metal
Overall: 52 × 45 × 10 in. (132.1 × 114.3 × 25.4 cm)
Gift of Larry and Gail Freels
2019.91
This hand carved carousel horse is attributed to the Brooklyn shop of Charles I. D. Looff (1852–1918), located at 30 Bedford Avenue. A self-taught carver, designer, and promoter of amusement rides, Looff is credited with creating Coney Island’s first carousel ride which he installed at Lucy Vanderveer’s bathing house at West Sixth Street and Surf Avenue. Formerly part of the Freels’ Collection of carousel figures, this unrestored prancing horse is a rare survivor of the carousel industry’s nascent age.
ClassificationsTOYS
1950.315a
