Hobbies And Interests
Carving
Authentic wooden horses are hollow, not solid wood. This made them lighter and allowed for the wood to expand and constrict while minimizing the chance of cracking. The horse should feel smooth. Modern imports often have a distinct carving pattern on the mane and tail. If these parts have rake-like grooves, the horse is likely an import. Authentic carousel horses do not have chisel marks. An antique carousel figure does not have removable ears or tails. Their head, neck, legs and tail were all carved separately but were then permanently attached. Removable parts belong to modern horses.
Pole and Stand
Usually the pole is positioned in front of the saddle. Many imported fakes feature a hole in the middle of the saddle. Some antique European and Mexican figures, along with special child-sized animals, may be an exception to this rule. Check for other clues before judging a horse based on pole position. If the horse is aluminum and attached to a ̶0;Coca Cola̶1; base, it is not a vintage horse. It̵7;s one of a handful of reproductions of Herschell/Spillman and Parker horses that were manufactured in Mexico in the early 2000s.
Paint, Saddle and Nails
Since authentic antique carousel animals have spent time outside, they usually have multiple layers of paint. They were repainted again and again while enduring the elements and generations of children. Pay close attention to the saddle and decoration. Vintage horses were not decorated with stenciled patterns. Sometimes rusty nails are used and saddles are scuffed to make a horse appear older. A saddle may have a ripped seam but check to see if the saddle itself looks worn. Fakes often have smooth saddles.
Hoof and Figure Formation
Study the shape of the body. Surprisingly, it is not uncommon for modern imports to appear malformed. Pay particular attention to the legs and hooves. Too-thin ankles and hooves that resemble flowerpots are sure signs that the carousel horse in question is a recent import. Vintage horses were carefully carved to resemble horses and have realistic features.
Expert Identification
Since antique carousel animals are a niche market, there is a very small pool of talent to seek for help with identification. Fortunately, experts tend to charge a small fee for identifying the antique and some will even consult for free. Since the identification can often be done by photo alone, experts can be consulted via the Internet. There are also many books available to help with identification of specific types of antique horses and their current value.
Other Tips
Since carousel animals are seen from only one side in the viewing area, most true antiques are only decorated in detail on one side. American horses were carved to face counter-clockwise so riders could grab the brass ring while English horses faced clockwise so they could be mounted properly with the left foot in the stirrup and right leg swinging over the horse. Antique horses were never signed and dated with a pencil. Some antique figures by Loof, Illions and Parker were stamps or carved with brands but usually a signed horse is a tip-off that the animal is a reproduction.