Mechanical Carriage with Team of Goats

Live Auction

28"l (71 cm). An elaborately woven wicker open-top carriage with double-facing seats having elaborate pleated and tufted silk upholstery is attached to an iron frame with four red metal spoked wheels, passenger's steps, driver's wicker seat centered by two original brass candle lanterns, and is pulled by two fur-covered paper mache goats with shaped horns, glass eyes, flannel legs, leather collar. When wound, the carriage moves forward in well-executed mechanical action. French, circa 1860,the mechanism is typical of those used by Theroude of that era. An extraordinary, rare and wonderfully preserved early mechanical toy with full accessories including lanterns and team of goats.