Unknown - Donkey
Catalog #046 153×140×31cm
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A full-size carved wooden donkey or mule in a stander pose, with a cream/yellow body, long upright ears, and a slightly lowered head. The trappings include a navy blue saddle over a red blanket with gold/yellow trim, a navy and red bridle with a gold buckle and a red glass jewel at the cheek, and alternating red and blue/turquoise glass jewels along the blanket edge. A gold tassel or fan motif is carved at the cinch. Navy and red cinch strap. Black carved mane with incised detail along the crest. Carved tail. Black hooves. Dark glass eyes. The overall form is naturalistic and well-proportioned — the ears, head shape, and body proportions are convincingly rendered as a donkey or mule rather than a horse adaptation. The figure measures approximately 5 feet to the ear tips.
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Acquired from Morphy Auctions (reported). No additional details — lot number, sale date, or price — were provided. The owner notes "that's all I can tell you at this time" (reported).
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The trail begins at Morphy Auctions. Pre-Morphy provenance is unknown. The Morphy lot description and catalog would be the first step in extending this.
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Mules and donkeys are a recognized but uncommon menagerie figure type in American carousel production. They were produced by several major manufacturers as menagerie alternatives. The jeweled trappings, stander pose, and overall carving quality of this figure are consistent with Golden Age American carousel production from a Philadelphia or Coney Island school workshop.
A small oval metal plaque or label is visible on the non-romance side blanket area in the photographs. This is potentially a manufacturer's mark and represents the single most important attribution lead for this figure. Dentzel, Herschell-Spillman, and other manufacturers occasionally affixed identification plaques to their figures. Close examination and documentation of this plaque is the highest-priority follow-up action.
Market comparables for carousel mule or donkey figures are limited due to the figure type's relative rarity on the private market. The figure's value will depend significantly on confirmed attribution.
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The figure is structurally intact. The painted surface shows moderate wear — crazing is visible across the body, particularly on the romance side. Fill marks and minor surface irregularities are visible on the body barrel, suggesting past repairs. The glass jewels on the trappings appear intact, with both red and blue/turquoise cabochons present. The carved mane detail is well-preserved. Glass eyes are intact. Black hoof paint shows some wear. The figure is displayed on a wooden platform base. The whiteboard reads #046, dated 10/30/25. Overall condition reads as an older restoration with moderate subsequent wear.
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Low. No maker attribution has been provided by the owner, and no independent identification has been established. The figure's physical characteristics are consistent with American Golden Age carousel production, but the specific manufacturer is unknown pending examination of the metal plaque visible in the photographs. Morphy Auctions acquisition provides a credible commercial anchor.
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Owner interview recording (transcribed), providing acquisition source (Morphy Auctions) only
Four photographs (DSC_2624 through DSC_2628): romance side, romance side with whiteboard, romance side with tape measure, non-romance side showing metal plaque