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Articulated toy cyclist - Belgian folk art, early 20th century
€1,500Bid from €750
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Bilzen, BelgiumOn Whoppah since March 2023 • 11 sales
Product description
"Articulated toy cyclist - Belgian folk art, early 20th century.
Hand-carved solid wood - Rare colonial subject - Pedal mechanism (Belt missing).
Description:
Rare and remarkable Belgian folk art toy from the early 20th century, fully hand-carved in solid wood, featuring a stylized black cyclist on a green-painted bicycle. The figure is movable, and the toy was originally designed with a mechanical belt system (now missing) that connected the pedals to the rear wheels. When in motion, this mechanism realistically simulated the pedaling of the cyclist, giving a vivid impression.
Materials and construction:
Main material: Solid wood (no plywood or reconstructed wood).
Figure & bike: Carved and hand painted (polychrome: green, red, black, ochre).
Mechanical features :
Articulated limbs driven by a central shaft.
Wheels with metal spokes mounted on rotating axles.
Places for a belt (belt is now missing).
Dimensions :
Length: 53 cm.
Height: 42 cm.
Condition : Solid structure, original paintwork with patina and wear appropriate to its age; belt is missing but mechanical parts are visible and coherent.
Iconography and cultural context:
The cyclist is depicted as a stylized black man wearing a red cap and a simple uniform, in an expressive and naive style typical of early folk toys. These toys likely reflect the Belgian colonial presence in Congo at the beginning of the 20th century (Congo was an independent state until 1908, when it became Belgian Congo). At that time, caricatured representations of African people were common in toys, advertisements and exhibitions.
This toy is not only a charming mechanical piece, but also an important historical record of the cultural and ideological representations of the time.
Dating and attribution:
Period: Around 1900-1930.
normal signs of use
normal signs of use
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsMulti ColorMaterialWood, IronNumber of items1Height42 cmWidth53 cmDepth5 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Bilzen, BelgiumOn Whoppah since March 2023 • 11 sales