Condition: Sliding door sticks but does open and close. Animals may have minor chips
or maybe a missing ear, but they are in overall excellent condition. Presents well.
Additional Information: Sunday in 19th Century America was not always enjoyable for
the whole family. While the parents might be immersed in the church, the children were
often bored and somewhat disruptive. The church made a decision to allow children to
play with the Noah's Ark toy already popular in Western Europe. The arks and animals
were carved by families in remote regions of Germany, with each member specializing
in a vessel or animal, bird or people figures. The sets were sold throughout Europe
beginning in the 1850's, and by 1860 had made their way to mainstream American
homes. The Noah's Ark was considered a teaching tool and although a toy, was a
savior to children and parents alike. After a bible lesson of Noah and the Great Flood,
any child could let their imagination run wild while playing out the bible story, imagining
the pairing of these great animals, many of which just recently reached mainstream
knowledge through Livingstone's mid-century African Discoveries, and whatever else
the imagination could conjure, and all with the blessings of the adults.
An excellent display size, this large 25 1/2" x 16" x 6.75" Ark displays above average
construction, with the hull being hand shaped after joining, and is nicely hand painted in
bold colors. The ark has a sliding door allowing for storage of many animals and figures,
which is the common practice. A 25" Ark Set with a nice set of passengers was
affordable to America's Middle Class, but somewhat out of reach for the lesser
financially blessed. This set would be among the family's treasured possessions.
In a remarkable state of preservation, this large ark brags an impressive passenger list
of 8 people (Noah, wife, 3 sons and their wives); plus more than 200 animals, birds and
bugs, all in pairs including elephants, giraffes, hippos, etc. birds of various species in
pairs, and the notable monkey pairs upfront for a total passenger count of 216 (or
so…they occasionally fall off the ark and have to swim) The colors, carving, and finish
detail make us believe these passengers were made by the same family, all at the time
the ark was built. It is unusual to find this many passengers of the same origin as these
sets often lost and gained members along the way.
Sunday's in 19th Century America went much easier once the Noah's Ark Toy and
learning tool was accepted by the church elders as appropriate Sunday study for
children, Before this, Sunday could be a long, long day for the bored child, and even
more for the parent who was tasked to control the children's energy and movement.
The Noah's Ark teaching tool and toy was a savior to children and parents alike. After a
bible lesson of Noah and the Great Flood, any child could let their imagination run wild
while playing out the bible story, imagining the pairing of these great animals, many of
which just recently reached mainstream knowledge through Livingstone's mid-century
African Discoveries, and whatever else the imagination could conjure, and all with the
blessings of the adults.
This well played-with example features a late 19th Century 21" Ark with a storage
compartment accessed via a fold-up roof, where the animals, birds and humans were
meant to rest during play periods. This made a very convenient tool for both use and
storage. The Ark is nicely painted with a typical stenciled facade and is in excellent
shape. The total of 75 passengers includes 5 humans, 24 birds (in pairs), 32 animals
(in pairs), and 14 animals traveling without partners. These provide a nice display for
any country or religious presentation. Take a good look at the pictures and use your
imagination.
Ark: 21.25" x 11" x 5" Humans: 3”; Elephant: h-2.5”; L-3.5”; w-1”: others sized by
comparison.
Condition: Ark is nice with expected dings. Passengers are played with and some lost
an ear, leg, or whatever...better than drowning in the flood!! Overall a nice set for
display.
Getting through a Sunday in 19th Century America could be quite a challenge for
children and parents alike. Between the solemn and formal Victorian Culture and
various constraints imposed on children by religion, Sunday could be a long, long day
for the bored child, and even more for the parent who was tasked to control the
children's energy and movement. The Noah's Ark teaching tool and toy was a savior to
children and parents alike. After a bible lesson of Noah and the Great Flood, any child
could let their imagination run wild while playing out the bible story, imagining the
pairing of these great animals, many of which just recently reached mainstream
knowledge through Livingstone's mid-century African Discoveries, and whatever else
the imagination could conjure, and all with the blessings of the adults.
Made primarily as cottage industry product of Germany, these ark sets were crafted by
family artisans, with different members each having a specialty, such as animal carving,
ark construction, ark paint decoration, animal painting and final shaping, etc. The output
was some of the most beautiful and thought-provoking toy sets, nicely filling the bill as a
"religious learning tool or toy". With late 19th C. Europe and America sharing many
common cultural traits, it is easy to understand how these sets found their way into the
American Culture, and into the lives of children and the Sunday routine.
An excellent display size, this 20" x 12" x 5.5" Ark has above average construction, with
the hull being hand shaped after joining, and is nicely hand painted in bold colors. The
ark has a sliding door allowing for storage of many animals and figures, which is the
common practice. A 20" Ark Set with a nice set of passengers was affordable to
America's Middle Class, but somewhat out of reach for the lesser financially
blessed. This set would be among the family's treasured possessions.
An impressive passenger list, 8 Humans, presumably Noah and wife, along with Noah's
three sons and their wives, the correct amount. 105 animals, mostly in pairs includes
some very nice elephants, 3"x 3.5" and others of various sizes. There are 63 birds on
hand to complete the list, making an overall number of 176 passengers. The colors,
carving, and finish detail make us believe these 176 passengers were made by the
same family, all at the time the ark was built. It is unusual to find this many passengers
of the same origin as these sets often lost and gained members along the way.
Condition: Ark has typical play wear. Sliding door is loose, but easily held with double
sided tape. Animals may have minor chips or maybe a missing ear, but they are in
overall excellent condition. Presents well. Impressive.
Ark roof is two tone with olive branch and dove; sliding door allows for internal storage. 73 pairs animals including major pairs; 25 pairs of birds and 5 loose critters; Noah, his wife, and 2 others. The large amount of figures makes for an impressive presentation
(Condition; normal wear to paint, most figures complete; 26" L by 12" D by 7.5" H)
This Beautifully hand painted Ark originated in the Erzebirge region of Southeastern Germany in the mid 19th Century, at a time when detail was everything. At 26-inches long by 16-inches high by 6.5-inches wide, this imposing structure houses some of the best turned out and oversized animals we've seen in a long while. The Ark itself is a boat style structure with a high carved hull, which atop sits a fixed house, and a painted frieze that adds contrast and punch. 43 Pairs of animals with a pair of antlered Moose, fabulous seated monkeys or apes, large 5-inch giraffes, and imposing 4-inch elephants, wide body hippo, and so many creatures with grins and smirks that you feel you're engaged in a conversation. 12 pairs of birds, including extraordinary swans and geese with attitudes. Add 24 solo animals to the mix, 8 dramatically dressed people with that extra detail rarely found, and you have that one Noah's Ark to keep you smiling for years to come.
A charming architectural effort featuring pierced moldings, working doors, glazed widows; tin can clock, and wired for Christmas lights. The house is painted with pigment mixed with glitter which would catch light and sparkle near the family tree delighting children. Very minor imperfections consistent with age, wired for Christmas lights.
(H: 53.5", W: 24", D: 14")
Glider rocking horse on a red wooden frame. The dapple-gray horse has a leather saddle and tack, and a hair mane and tail. There are some breaks in the leather, some paint scratches, one rail has fallen out, and the saddle may be a replacement. All of these are noted for accuracy. Measures 26-inches in height, 32-inches in length and 13-inches in width.
Late 19th to early 20th century all original paint decorated sled.
The end of the sled runners feature the best cast iron painted swan's heads.
Dimensions: 34-inches long, 36-inches high to top of handle, 15-inches wide.
This four-drawer empire style 19th Century doll's chest is grain painted, with brass ring handles. Measures 11.25-inches in height, 10.5-inches in width and 6.75-inches in depth.
Hand painted brickface doll house with wallpapered interior.
Over 50 years ago there was a bit of trim replacement.
Dimensions: 17.25" H, 12.5" W, 10" D.
Vibrant blue flat bottom Noah's Ark with hand carved and painted figures. 32 pairs of animals, 12 single animals, 18 pairs of birds and Mr. and Mrs. Noah.
Dimensions: 9.25" ark H, 21" ark W, 6.25" ark D, 12" stand H, 23.5" stand D, 23" stand W. Stand not included.
Large colorful barge style ark at 12.25" H by 22" L by 6 1/8" W, with eight people and 181 animals. Included is a great wall mounted display piece made especially for this set.
Dimensions of people: approximately 4" H each. Animals range from 1" H to 5 1/8" H.
Two-story dollhouse with painted brick facade and five arched windows. Included are two adult dollhouse figures as well as miniature Frozen Charlottes and house accessories. The dollhouse measures 31-inches in height, 15-inches in width and 10-inches in depth.
514-54 - SOLD
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