The following is an online archive of our newest exhibit in the Placer County Museum Treasury.
Click on photos to see larger versions
The emotional and romantic appeal of the carousel
rests in the saddles of its fanciful
and exquisitely carved beasts.
Jumping horse c. 1912
Charles Carmel
(Jewels added by M.D. Borelli)
American (Coney Island Style)
Painted wood (restored)
The whirl of the carousel, vibrant colors and lights, band organ music, and incredibly beautiful horses are irresistible for children of all ages. Once mounted in the saddle, you can become a veiled princess astride a pet tiger, a bronco riding cowboy, or a dueling knight atop a thundering charger. It is this leap of imagination that made carousels the most popular American amusement ride during the Golden Age of carousels that stretched from 1900 to World War II.
Prancing horse c. 1880
Charles I.D. Looff
American (Coney Island Style)
Park paint on wood
Standing horse c. 1910
Charles Carmel
American (Coney Island Style)
Painted wood (Restored)
Jumping horse c. 1911
Marcus Illions
American (Coney Island Style)
Stripped wood
These elaborately carved animals continue to captivate audiences today primarily as works of art rather than as amusement park rides. To define their enduring appeal we need only look for the twinkle in an adult’s eye as they return to their childhood memories or watch a young child enter a fantasy world of horses, bears, swans and lions.
CAROUSELS CIRCLE THE WORLD
The French produced many barnyard animals such as rabbits, pigs, cows, horses, and delightful dogs and cats.
Jumping rabbit c. 1900
Gustave Bayol
French (Portable carousel)
Park paint on wood
The German carvers, along with carving elegant horses, carved many lions, tigers and bears.
Small jumping horse c. 1910
Freidrich Heyn
German (Portable carousel)
Painted wood
Standing bear c. 1890
Freidrich Heyn
German
Stripped/stained wood
The animals produced in Mexico were animated, well-muscled, brightly painted and often small for whirling aboard portable fiesta carousels.
Standing bear c. 1940s
Carver Unknown
Mexican (Portable carousel)
Restored stain/paint on wood
The English round-a-bouts all rotate in a clockwise direction whereas American, European and Mexican carousels turn counter-clockwise. The fancy or romance side faces outward.
Jumping horse c. 1890
G. & J. Lines
English galloper (Mark)
Park paint on wood
MENAGERIE ANIMALS
Most carousels only have horses and often two chariots. The addition of menagerie animals brings both whimsical and bold choices.
Swan with interior seat c. 1904
Gustave Bayol
French (Portable carousel)
Park paint on wood
It is the brave rider who selects a roaring tiger or lion.
Standing tiger c. 1895
Gottfried Bungarz
American (Coney Island Style)
Park paint on wood
Another might happily choose a flirting rabbit, friendly dog, cat, camel, ostrich, zebra, pig or bear.
Standing camel c. 1905
Daniel Muller
American (Philadelphia Style)
Original paint on wood
Regardless of what animal is chosen, the rider's imagination transforms wood and paint into a magical adventure. Spinning them into a flight of fantasy before it deposits them safely into the real world, forever changed by the journey.
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