Very Rare 19th Century French Carved Wooden Toy Horse with Pedal Cart

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57" (145 cm.) overall. The carved wooden horse in trotting pose has canvas hide with hand- painted details, brown enamel eyes, carved open mouth with carved and painted teeth, nostril, real mane, leather ears, and leather harness. A single spoked wheel is attached to the horse's underbelly and connects to the cast iron steering rod mounted saddle-like on the horse's back; the horse is attached with long wooden rails to a two wheeled wooden cart with attached side shelves, and hidden pedals beneath. Designed for child play, when pedaled the horse trots briskly along, pulling the cart, and can be steered from side to side. French, mid-19th century, a very rare early pedal toy in fine original condition.