Antique Fairground Carnival Carousel Horse from Orton & Spooner, 1910

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Orton, Sons & Spooner Fairground Carousel Horse “Galatea,” circa 1910–1920 Material: Carved wood, metal and leather A rare early 20th-century … Read more Orton, Sons & Spooner Fairground Carousel Horse “Galatea,” circa 1910–1920 Material: Carved wood, metal and leather A rare early 20th-century English fairground carousel horse named “Galatea,” attributed to the celebrated fairground manufacturers and carvers Orton, Sons & Spooner of Burton-on-Trent, dating from circa 1910–1920. Hand-carved from wood and retaining its decorative painted finish, Galatea is a substantial sculptural fairground figure with the animated form and detailing associated with traditional British gallopers. The horse would originally have formed part of a fairground merry-go-round or carousel. Orton & Spooner were among the most important British manufacturers of fairground rides and equipment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The firm became particularly renowned for its elaborate carving, producing galloping horses and numerous other highly decorative animal figures for fairground rides. The horse is fitted with a metal bridle. Its saddle has been sympathetically reupholstered in leather and finished with traditional brass studs. Beyond its original function as part of a working fairground ride, Galatea is now a highly decorative example of British fairground folk art, with considerable presence as a freestanding sculptural object. Dimensions: Height: 105.4 cm to top of ears Width: 106.7 cm Depth: 25.4 cm Weight: Approximately 30 kg Date of Manufacture: circa 1910–1920 Period: Early 20th Century Style: English Fairground / Folk Art Country of Origin: England See less