Lot 217
Gustav Dentzel Carousel Horse
American, Philadelphia Style. Restored Paint.
1901 Dentzel Carousel
In 1901, Jacob Plarr brought his original hand-carved Dentzel Carousel to Dorney Park. A Wurlitzer band organ provided music to riders. During the 1930s, this Dentzel carousel was put into storage after Dorney Park purchased a Philadelphia Toboggan Co. Carousel. Throughout the years it was brought out of storage for special events at the park. In 1954, the carousel was painted gold in honor of Dorney Park’s 70th anniversary.
The carousel was painted red, white and blue for the U.S. bi-centennial celebration in 1976. When Dorney Park celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1984, the carousel was once again taken out of storage and restored to its original state. The carousel was dismantled when the park was sold in 1985, and its pieces are now part of private collections.
This outer row Arabian stallian from the magnificent 1903 Dentzel Dorney Park (Pennsylvania) carousel defines carousel carving. Perfectly proportioned, it is hard to imagine a finer carving.
Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000