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: carousel horse before and after restauration)

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.