If you want
to gain some insight into the value or background of your horse,
we are qualified to tell you exactly what your items are worth.
Restore
or not?
In our opinion
a rocking or carousel horse in his original condition is far more
valuable than a restored or a repainted one.
Sadly enough we see -in many cases- that the antique patina of old
skin covered and wooden horses is completely spoiled by bad 'restoring'
.
Restore if it is really necessary and to preserve the horse for
the future.
Search for a skilled professional. They are hard to find.
We are proud to have the best German carousel specialist working
in our crew.
Early
20th century carousel horse by the firm Heyn almost finished
after restoring.
Most
of the old German antique carousel horses had originally
real gold-leaf on their decorations.
We always advise to keep restaurations up with the age of the horse
by using -for example- old materials. Sometimes a little replacement
of hair, paint, hide or leather is enough without being destructive.
Before we start a restauration we take pictures and samples of the
original paint.
It is preferable to keep an old rocking horse in it's sometimes
"worn' but original condition as a museumpiece and if you like
to have one for the children: buy a new one which they can ride!
Below and above
you will see some examples of restaurations which will give you
a good impression of our work.
We offer a complete restoration service and shall be pleased to
advise and quote you.
Antique
or a fake?
As expert appraisers
and valuers of rocking horses and carousel horses we receive almost
daily questions and pictures of 'so called' antique horses.
Unfortunately most of them are fakes.
Because they are populair, rocking horses and carousel horses are
often reproduced and aged, to give them an antique appearance. Then
they are sold as 'antiques' to innocent buyers.
Below we show
some pictures of 'fake' horses which has been recenty sold or still
are for sale on the market as an 'antique'
These horses
are all replika's and made in Asia.
At this moment
we've heard that our horses are about to get replicated.
Fortunately they are all registrated and have their unique signature
and personal certificates so this will be difficult.....we don't
want people to get fooled and will do anything to prevent this.
You can mail
us your question if you like to have an answer about a particular
horse.
We'll be happy to tell you if it is a 'real' one or not without
any charge.
However if you like to receive a full valuation- or indentificationreport
for insurance or selling, we have to charge you for this service
with a fee of 2% of the value with a minimum of 120 Euro.