Antique Rocking Horses - Toy or Collectable?

Posted on March 03, 2023

Just as you see toy cars as one of the most loved toys amongst children these days, rocking horses were one of the most loved forms of toys during the times when people would use horses primarily as a form of travel. Barrel rocking horses and horses with a head attached to a stick were amongst the very first of their kind created back then. Then came the rocking horses made of solid wood that we are familiar with nowadays.
 
Rocking horses originated in the 17th century and by the 19th century they had become incredibly popular. Made using oak and other types of English hardwood, they were beautifully carved and often featured a leather seat to give a life-like look.
 
Today, rocking horses are quite sought after by antique and toy collectors, as well as commonly being used as decorative pieces. They are available in a range of sizes, from small toys to life size pieces which give the actual look of a horse. A lot ofmanufacturers are now replicating these antique horses, and although not antique, they still hold high value with collectors.
 
Of course, just because they are popular with collectors doesn’t mean rocking horses are no longer toys. The rocking horse was one of the most popular toys for a very long time and can still be enjoyed by children of the current generation.
 
While antique rocking horses are sought after by collectors and antique lovers to decorate their houses or exhibit in display cases, they can also work as the perfect gift for a young child.