Smithsonian
A series of 32 carousel animals produced for the Smithsonian by Kurt Adler.
By the late nineteenth century, the mechanical carousel which was, at its best, an elaborate and fantastic work of swirling sculpture, was a common feature at fairs, carnivals, and amusement parks strategically placed at the end of trolley lines. A few of the craftsmen who made carousel figures were trained sculptors. Others were simply talented wood-carvers.
The Carousel in America
While the carousel concept can be traced to ancient
Byzantium, the term “carousel” was derived from 12th-century
Arabian games of horsemanship, which the Italian and
Spanish crusaders called “carosello,” meaning “little war.”
Throughout the ages, the power for the carousel has been provided by man,
beast, steam, and finally electricity. Steam was applied as the driving
force in England around 1865 and the machine was known as the “Steam Circus.”
Although there is evidence that crudely carved carousels existed in the early 1800s,
its ascendancy in America and its conversion to electricity by World War I
is directly related to the invention of the trolley.
Owners of this form of Transportation, hoping to stimulate weekend business,
developed amusement parks at the end of the trolley lines.
1 - Looff Goat
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-1
Height: 6"
Width: 4½"
Retired: 1992
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-1
Height: 6"
Width: 4½"
Retired: 1992
2 - Rabbit
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-2
Height: 6½"
Width: 5"
Retired: 1991
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-2
Height: 6½"
Width: 5"
Retired: 1991
Kurt Adler Design
The hang tag reads:
The hang tag reads:
The Rabbit, ca 1890 came from the Shop of America's first major Carousel maker,
Gustav A. Dentzel, in Germantown, PA.
The Rabbit is from his favorite “Menagerie” machine
which first operated in Woodside Park, Philadelphia.
The Rabbit is from a complete Carousel that was purchased by the Smithsonian
and is housed at the National Museum of American History.
Two in the first Series of Four
3 - Horse - ca. 1915 - Stein & Goldstein
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-3
Height: 6"
Width: 5"
Retired: 1993
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-3
Height: 6"
Width: 5"
Retired: 1993
From the Smithsonian 1988 Collection of Carousel Animals.
He represents the elaborate and fantastic work of the carousel animal, a common feature at fairs, carnivals and amusements parks.
The hang tag reads:
The colors are vibrant and the detail astounding on this beautiful recreation of the vintage carousel horse. Approx 6" tall by 5" wide.
Third in the first Series of Four.
He represents the elaborate and fantastic work of the carousel animal, a common feature at fairs, carnivals and amusements parks.
The hang tag reads:
The ornate Horse, ca. 1915, came from the Artistic Carousel Manufacturers
in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, N.Y. it displays the high quality
carving of Solomon Stein and Harry Goldstein, who built huge carousels
with capacity for up to 100. The Horse is part of the Eleanor and Mable
Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art and is housed at the
National Museum of American History.
This ornament is by Kurt S. Adler.The colors are vibrant and the detail astounding on this beautiful recreation of the vintage carousel horse. Approx 6" tall by 5" wide.
Third in the first Series of Four.
4 - Giraffe
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-4
Height: 6"
Width: 4"
Retired: 1993
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-4
Height: 6"
Width: 4"
Retired: 1993
The hang tag reads:
The Giraffe, ca. 1890 came from the Shop of America's first major arousel Maker,
Gustav A. Dentzel, in Germantown, PA.
The Giraffe is part of the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne
Collection of American Folk Art and is
housed at the National Museum of American History.
Fourth in the first Series of Four.
5 - Lion - C.W.F. Dare
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-5
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width: 5½"
Retired
Item: S-3027-5
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width: 5½"
Retired
The Smithsonian Institution 1988 Hand-crafted in the Philippines For Kurt S. Adler INC. N.Y., N.Y. Licensee.
It also has a print-out from the Smithsonian telling about all the different Carousel Animals Christmas Ornaments.
The hang tag reads:
It also has a print-out from the Smithsonian telling about all the different Carousel Animals Christmas Ornaments.
The hang tag reads:
The Lion was carved at C.W.F. Dare Co., Brooklyn, N.Y., ca. 1889-1896.
The Lion was used in the Carousel at Grahamsville, N.Y.,
and is part of the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne
Collection of American Folk Art housed at the National Museum of American History.
6 - Cat - Dentzel
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-6
Edition: Limited
Height:
Width:
Retired
Item: S-3027-6
Edition: Limited
Height:
Width:
Retired
7 - Zebra
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-7
Edition: Limited
Height: 6½"
Width: 5¼"
Retired
Item: S-3027-7
Edition: Limited
Height: 6½"
Width: 5¼"
Retired
The Zebra was made at the Gustav A. Dentzel factory in Germantown, PA. ca. 1886-1902.
A fox is carved on the back of saddle.
The zebra is a part of the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art.
© The Smithsonian Institution, 1988
Hand Crafted in the Philippines for
Kurt. S. Adler, Inc., N.Y., N.Y. Licensee
The zebra is a part of the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art.
© The Smithsonian Institution, 1988
Hand Crafted in the Philippines for
Kurt. S. Adler, Inc., N.Y., N.Y. Licensee
8 - Seahorse
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-8
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width: 6"
Retired
Item: S-3027-8
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width: 6"
Retired
The Smithsonian Institution 1988
“The Seahorse was carved at the C.W.F. Dare Co., Brooklyn, N.Y. ca. 1878-1900. According to one Carousel authority, “The Seahorse is one of the most outstanding folk art carvings in America.” The Seahorse is part of the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne collection of American Folk Arts.”
Made Exclusively For Kurt Adler Inc., 1107 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10010.
The seahorse measures 6" wide and the post is 6" high.
This is a Limited Edition, and now Retired.
“The Seahorse was carved at the C.W.F. Dare Co., Brooklyn, N.Y. ca. 1878-1900. According to one Carousel authority, “The Seahorse is one of the most outstanding folk art carvings in America.” The Seahorse is part of the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne collection of American Folk Arts.”
Made Exclusively For Kurt Adler Inc., 1107 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10010.
The seahorse measures 6" wide and the post is 6" high.
This is a Limited Edition, and now Retired.
9 - Rooster
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-9
Edition: Limited
Height:
Width:
Retired
Item: S-3027-9
Edition: Limited
Height:
Width:
Retired
The Smithsonian carousel ornaments marketed by Kurt Adler Inc. are no longer in production.
All of the carousels were adaptations from the Smithsonian Museum. The Rooster is # 9 in the series.
10 · Carousel Horse · Charles Carmel
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-10
Edition: Limited
Height: 6½"
Retired:
Item: S-3027-10
Edition: Limited
Height: 6½"
Retired:
The hang tag reads:
White Stander - 5 inches tall - shaft 6½ inches tall
The Carousel Horse was carved ca. 1910-1925 by Charles Carmel,
a Russian immigrant who worked from the late 1880's through the 1920's
for four East Coast carousel manufacturers.
The lolling tongue, the highly ornamental detailing, and
wildly flowing mane are distinctive of Carmel's style.
Kurt Adler DesignWhite Stander - 5 inches tall - shaft 6½ inches tall
11 - Elephant
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-11
Edition: Limited
Height: 6½"
Width: 4¼"
Retired
Item: S-3027-11
Edition: Limited
Height: 6½"
Width: 4¼"
Retired
The hang tag reads:
Hand Crafted in the Philippines for
Kurt. S. Adler, Inc., N.Y., N.Y. Licensee
The Elephant was originally carved in the workshop of
C. W. F. Dare Co. Brooklyn, NY during the 1880's.
This monumental animal was designed to stand stationary
and be placed on the outside row of a carousel so that it could impart a feeling of grandeur.
The Elephant is part of the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art at the National Museum of American History.
© The Smithsonian Institution, 1988The Elephant is part of the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art at the National Museum of American History.
Hand Crafted in the Philippines for
Kurt. S. Adler, Inc., N.Y., N.Y. Licensee
12 - Camel
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-12
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width: 5"
Retired
Item: S-3027-12
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width: 5"
Retired
The hang tag reads:
This unique one humped Asian camel, ca. 1880-1890, was carved by
C.W.F. Dare Co., a noted manufacturer of exotic carousel animals.
By standing stationary, the Camel separated itself from the surrounding
animals that moved up and down. The Camel is part of the Eleanor and
Mable Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art
at the National Museum of American History.
13 - Bengal Tiger
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-13
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width: 5½"
Retired
Item: S-3027-13
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width: 5½"
Retired
The hang tag reads:
The Bengal Tiger is an adaptation of a carousel animal design
in a color carousel catalog, ca 1910,
Herschell-Spillman Company, North Tonawanda, NY from the collection of the
National Museum of American History.
About 4 inches tall x 5½ inches long, with merry-go-round pole 6 inches tall.
14 - Horse
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-14
Edition: Limited
Height:
Retired
Item: S-3027-14
Edition: Limited
Height:
Retired
The hang tag reads:
Hand Crafted in the Philippines for
Kurt. S. Adler, Inc., N.Y., N.Y. Licensee
This carousel horse, ca. 1904-1910 was carved at the Gustav A. Dentsel
Factory in Germantown, PA.
The horse is part of the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art at the National Museum of American History.
© The Smithsonian Institution, 1988The horse is part of the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art at the National Museum of American History.
Hand Crafted in the Philippines for
Kurt. S. Adler, Inc., N.Y., N.Y. Licensee
15 - Reindeer
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-15
Edition: Limited
Height:
Width:
Retired
Item: S-3027-15
Edition: Limited
Height:
Width:
Retired
The Smithsonian carousel ornaments marketed by Kurt Adler Inc. are no longer in production.
All of the carousels were adaptations from the Smithsonian Museum. This Reindeer is #15 in the series.
16 - Pig - ca. 1904-1910 - Gustav A. Dentzel
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-16
Edition: Limited
Height: 6½"
Width: 5¼"
Retired
Item: S-3027-16
Edition: Limited
Height: 6½"
Width: 5¼"
Retired
The hang tag reads:
Made for the Kurt Adler Company. Poles are 6½ inches in height, and animals will vary in length. This one measures 5¼ inches long.
This carousel pig ca. 1904-1910, was carved at the Gustav A. Dentzel factory in Germantown, PA,
one of the most important American carousel workshops.
The pig is part of the Eleanor and Mabel Van Alstyne collection of American Folk Art at the National Museum of American History.
The Pig is #16 in the series.The pig is part of the Eleanor and Mabel Van Alstyne collection of American Folk Art at the National Museum of American History.
Made for the Kurt Adler Company. Poles are 6½ inches in height, and animals will vary in length. This one measures 5¼ inches long.
17 - Armored Horse
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-17
Height: 6½"
Width: 4¼
Retired
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-17
Height: 6½"
Width: 4¼
Retired
Shown here is the Armored Horse,
an adaptation of a carousel animal design found in a color carousel catalog, ca. 1910.
Herschell-Spillman Company, North Tonawanda, NY from the collection of the National Museum of American History.
Made for the Kurt Adler Company.
Poles are 6½ inches in height, and animals will vary in length. This one measures 4¼ inches long.
Made for the Kurt Adler Company.
Poles are 6½ inches in height, and animals will vary in length. This one measures 4¼ inches long.
18 - Frog - 1910 - Herschell-Spillman Company
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-18
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width: 5"
Retired
Item: S-3027-18
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width: 5"
Retired
The Frog is an adaptation of a carousel animal design found in a color
carousel catalog, ca. 1910, Herschell-Spillman Company, North Tanawanda, NY.
From the collection of the National Museum of American History.
© The Smithsonian Institution, 1988
Hand Crafted in the Philippines for
Kurt. S. Adler, Inc., N.Y., N.Y. Licensee
From the collection of the National Museum of American History.
© The Smithsonian Institution, 1988
Hand Crafted in the Philippines for
Kurt. S. Adler, Inc., N.Y., N.Y. Licensee
19 - Kangaroo - 1910 - Herschell-Spillman Company
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-19
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width:
Retired
Item: S-3027-19
Edition: Limited
Height: 6"
Width:
Retired
The kangaroo measures about 6" high.
The box measures 7½" high and 7" wide.
According the hang-tag, this kangaroo is a 1910 adaptation of one made
by the Herschell-Spillman Co., North Tonawanda, NY.
20 - Palamino - 1910 - Herschell-Spillman Company
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-20
Height: 6½"
Width: 5¼"
Retired
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-20
Height: 6½"
Width: 5¼"
Retired
“The Horse” is an adaptation of a carousel animal design
found in a color carousel catalog, circa 1910.
Herschell-Spillman Company, North Tonaranda, NY.
From the collection of the National Museum of American History.
From the collection of the National Museum of American History.
21 - Sea Monster
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-21
Height: 7"
Width: 5"
Retired
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-21
Height: 7"
Width: 5"
Retired
22 - Horse
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-22
Edition: Limited
Height: 6¼"
Width: 5¾"
Retired
Item: S-3027-22
Edition: Limited
Height: 6¼"
Width: 5¾"
Retired
The Smithsonian carousel ornaments by Kurt Adler Inc. are no longer in production.
All of the carousels were adaptations from the Smithsonian Museum. This horse is #22 in the series.
The height of the white horse measures 6¼" (length of the pole),
5¾" from rear leg to front of the mane and
1½" wide.
The height of the white horse measures 6¼" (length of the pole),
5¾" from rear leg to front of the mane and
1½" wide.
23 - The Persian Cat
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-23
Edition: Limited
Height:
Width:
Retired
Item: S-3027-23
Edition: Limited
Height:
Width:
Retired
“The Persian Cat” is an adaptation of a carousel animal design
found in color catalog, circa 1910:
Herschell-Spillman Company, North Tonaranda, NY.
From the collection of the National Museum of American History.
From the collection of the National Museum of American History.
24 - Stork
Copyright: ©1988
Item: S-3027-24
Edition: Limited
Height:
Width:
Retired
Item: S-3027-24
Edition: Limited
Height:
Width:
Retired
The Stork is #24 in a series of #32.
These ornaments are made from a resin material and the poles are wooden with green or red ribbon trimming.
These ornaments are made from a resin material and the poles are wooden with green or red ribbon trimming.
25 - Indian Jumper
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-25
Height: 6½"
Width: 6"
Retired
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-25
Height: 6½"
Width: 6"
Retired
The brown horse measures 6½" (length of the pole), 6"
from tip of the tail to the nose and 1½" wide.
26 - Giraffe
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-26
Height: 7½"
Retired
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-26
Height: 7½"
Retired
This is an adaptation of a Smithsonian Institution museum piece
and was inspired a design found in the Herschell-Spillman Co. North Tonawanda, NY circa 1910.
27 - The African Lion
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-27
Height:
Retired
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-27
Height:
Retired
The African Lion ornament is an adaptation of a carousel animal design
found in a color carousel catalog, ca. 1910 Herschell-Spillman Co.,
North Tonawanda, N.Y. from the collection of the
National Museum of American History.
28 - Berkshire Pig
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-28
Height:
Retired
Edition: Limited
Item: S-3027-28
Height:
Retired
The Berkshire Pig is an adaptation of a carousel animal design found in a color catalog, circa 1910.
Made in the Phillippines for the Kurt S. Adler Co. and the Smithsonian Institute Carousel Animal Collection in 1988.
Made in the Phillippines for the Kurt S. Adler Co. and the Smithsonian Institute Carousel Animal Collection in 1988.
29 - Peacock - German Carousel
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: 29
Height: 6½"
Edition: Limited
Item: 29
Height: 6½"
Peacock by Kurt Adler
The Peacock was inspired by an early 20th century German carousel animal found in the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art. National Museum of American History. Behring Center Smithsonian Institution.
The Peacock was inspired by an early 20th century German carousel animal found in the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art. National Museum of American History. Behring Center Smithsonian Institution.
30 - Ostrich - Herschell-Spillman Company
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: 30
Height: 6½"
Edition: Limited
Item: 30
Height: 6½"
Ostrich by Kurt Adler
This Ostrich was inspired by a carousel animal design found in the carousel catalog of the Herschell-Spillman Company, North Tonawanda, NY. ca 1910. The carousel catalog can be found in the Carousel Collection Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Behring Center.
This Ostrich was inspired by a carousel animal design found in the carousel catalog of the Herschell-Spillman Company, North Tonawanda, NY. ca 1910. The carousel catalog can be found in the Carousel Collection Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Behring Center.
31 - Rooster - Herschell-Spillman Company
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: 31
Height: 6½"
Edition: Limited
Item: 31
Height: 6½"
Rooster by Kurt Adler
This Rooster was inspired by a 1920s wood-carved product of the Herschell-Spillman Company, carousel maker of North Tonawanda, NY. The original is found in the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art. National Museum of American History. Behring Center Smithsonian Institution.
This Rooster was inspired by a 1920s wood-carved product of the Herschell-Spillman Company, carousel maker of North Tonawanda, NY. The original is found in the Eleanor and Mable Van Alstyne Collection of American Folk Art. National Museum of American History. Behring Center Smithsonian Institution.
32 - Dappled Horse - Herschell-Spillman Company
Copyright: ©1988
Edition: Limited
Item: 32
Height: 6½"
Edition: Limited
Item: 32
Height: 6½"
Dapple Horse by Kurt Adler
This Horse was inspired by a carousel animal design found in the carousel catalog of the Herschell-Spillman Company, North Tonawanda, NY. ca 1910.
The carousel catalog can be found in the Carousel Collection Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Behring Center.
This Horse was inspired by a carousel animal design found in the carousel catalog of the Herschell-Spillman Company, North Tonawanda, NY. ca 1910.
The carousel catalog can be found in the Carousel Collection Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Behring Center.
The hang tag reads:
Item # S-3027
One in the first Series of Four
Approximately 6 inch pole by 4½ inch wide