This is the dominant style of 1800s French horse tricycle, with a cast iron head fitted to a wooden body, and operated by handles connected by chain to the rear axle. This example has 15″ wooden wheels, with metal banded ‘tyres’ like 1860s velocipedes. I assume it to be from the 1880s.
It needs some minor jobs doing to it if you wish to keep it in original unrestored condition: a handle turning up on a lathe to match the other one, a length of chain, and some horsehair to make a mane and tail. Then a good cleaning of the wheels to remove odd bits of paint. Its structure (both the horse and the wheels) is sound and it would not take much to turn this into a very presentable reminder of the 1880s …especially with a copy of Monet’s painting hanging on the wall behind it.
On this style of horse, the front fork bolts to a cast iron fitting that’s screwed under the front of the horse’s body. I’ve illustrated this in one of the photos as cast iron fittings are an indicator of authentic early production (though all the forgeries have the same rear frame casting).
Many modern replicas have been made in Eastern Europe and Asia and are aged to try to disguise their modernity; they are passed off by unscrupulous auctioneers and antique shops as original. You can often tell the difference if you see welded parts, more modern fittings or modern screws. But sometimes it can be confusing, as many originals have often been repaired over the years. I would only advertise a horse tricycle if it is in original unrestored condition, like this one.
View in the Online Bicycle Museum
BICYCLE COLLECTORS CURATED ONLINE AUCTION, Spring 2025
This Timed Auction is live from 14th of March 2025 2pm to 14th of April 7pm, 2025. Highest bid wins.
NO BUYERS or SELLERS PREMIUM.
THE RESERVE IS THE START PRICE + BUY-IT-NOW OPTION.
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY: NO PACKING FEES.
BIDDING INCREMENTS: Up to £1000 = £10. Over £1000 = £50. Over £2000 = £100
IT’S A CURATED AUCTION – Colin is the auctioneer and is available to chat to you personally during the auction (or before) by email, text message, phonecall, Facebook Messenger or Whatsapp.
