Antique German Folk Art Wooden Toy Coach & Horses, Orig. Painted Box c 1880-1910
This rare handmade folk art wooden toy coach is intricately carved, paint-decorated, and contains two carved and painted figures: a female passenger inside and the driver upfront directing the horses. The coach and horses are contained in its original slide-top box, reminiscent of an early candle-box that is beautifully paint-decorated in a stylized tulip/floral design with the town name of “Berchtesgaden” painted at one end of the top. This piece was made in the far southeastern corner of Bavaria very near the Austrian border and Salzburg, Austria; the birthplace of Mozart. In the 1700’s, the area was known for the making of toy musical instruments. Dimensions: Carriage and Horses: 8-1/8″ long x 3-3/8″ tall x 2-7/16 deep. Carrying Box: 9-5/8″ long x 4-3/4″ tall x 4-3/16 deep. The coach and horses are intact, with no visible losses, damage or replacements. Some older reglued repairs are likely through age and use. The slide-top box has some losses to the painted decoration particularly on one side and on the top (see photos).