Acquired from the Ersepke collection (reported). The owner traveled to purchase this figure approximately four years ago, acquiring nine animals in the same trip (reported). The figure was given prominent billing within the source collection (reported).

Acquired from the Ersepke collection (reported). Prior history before that collection is unknown. Machine of origin has not been documented. The Ersepke collection name has not been located in specialist carousel records (sourced — no results).

Gustave Bayol (1859–1931) operated his carousel company in Angers, France, and was regarded as the foremost carousel maker in that country, particularly recognized for his fanciful carvings of farm animals. The company was active from 1887 through approximately 1914.

The pig was among Bayol's signature subjects, and the form is well represented in the auction record. Documented examples in the leaping position feature glass eyes, a single saddle, and an iron curled tail, along with ribbon bows at neck and haunch — all features consistent with the photographs here. A comparable example sold at Christie's New York in September 2015 for $11,250. Additional records include examples at Brunk Auctions (April 2021), Freeman's (May 2022), Bonhams, and Sotheby's. At least one documented example features a carved ribbon inscribed with a name — "Toto"; another carries the inscription "Le Toine," an affectionate reference to Saint Antoine, whose traditional companion is a pig. Whether this figure carries any similar inscription beneath the restoration layer is unknown.

The current green, gold, and purple color scheme does not correspond to any documented period Bayol pig in the auction record, where red or brown saddle blankets with blue or green ribbon trim are the consistent norm (inferred from comparables). The present scheme is assessed as Liepman's restoration interpretation (inferred).

AntiqueCarousels.com's active listings document Liepman by name as the paint restorer on at least one other Bayol figure, confirming her direct familiarity with the workshop's conventions. Her studio, established in 1985, has worked on major carousel projects including Tilden Park in Berkeley, the San Francisco Zoo, and the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, placing her among the most credentialed practitioners in the field. Her studio is based in Albany, California — the owner's self-correction toward "Berkeley" in the transcript is geographically close; Albany directly borders Berkeley.

Among Bayol's farm animal output, pigs appear with moderate regularity on the private market relative to more exotic menagerie types. They are rarely encountered on operating carousels. The figure's noted prominence within its source collection (reported) is consistent with the pig's recognized status as a Bayol specialty subject.

Condition appears excellent across all three photographs. No paint loss, cracking, crazing, or structural damage is visible. The finish is exceptionally smooth and even throughout, consistent with a high-quality professional restoration (inferred from photographs and sourced restoration record). One structural feature requires physical confirmation: the wrought-iron curled tail documented in virtually every Bayol pig auction comparable is not visible in any of the three photographs. Its presence or absence should be noted in a formal condition assessment. Formal rating pending that examination and owner review.

The Bayol attribution is owner-reported and strongly supported by photographic comparison to documented auction comparables — leaping pose, open mouth with lolling tongue, glass eyes, and ribbon bows at neck and haunch are all consistent with the established Bayol typology. Material (carved wood) and restorer identity are owner-confirmed; restorer's Bayol-specific work is independently corroborated. The source collection name is phonetically approximated and unverified, and no pre-restoration documentation has been located. These gaps prevent a High rating.

• Owner interview (voice transcript): ID number, source collection name, acquisition trip and grouping, prominence within source collection, painter attribution, approximate acquisition date

• Owner interview (on file): material confirmation (carved wood), Bayol attribution, Liepman painter confirmation

• Three photographs: DSC_2249 (right side, full figure), DSC_2254 (left side, full figure), DSC_2258 (head detail, close-up)

• AntiqueCarousels.com: Liepman–Bayol donkey documentation; Liepman studio listing with Albany, CA address

• LiseLiepman.com: studio credentials, project history

• AntiqueCarousels.com (Nina Fraley tribute): Liepman professional lineage

• Rafael Osona Auctions (Winter 2021): Bayol pig comparable; Christie's 2015 reference ($11,250)

• Brunk Auctions (April 2021): Bayol pig comparable

• Freeman's Auction (May 2022): Bayol pig comparable with inscribed ribbon

• Bonhams: juvenile Bayol pig comparable with leaping pose documentation

• Sotheby's (2006): Bayol pig with "Bayol Fabricant, Angers" mark