Rocking horses have enchanted, amused and educated children of all ages since they first appeared in the seventeenth-century. King Charles 1 of England rode one of the earliest examples of a rocking horse when he was a young boy. His rocking horse still survives to this day. Unfortunately very few of these early rocking horses have survived and the few remaining can only be found in museums and private collections.

Rocking horses were enormously popular throughout Great Britain especially during Georgian and Victorian times. In 1851 Queen Victoria visited the workshop of J.Collinson and sons in Liverpool. When asked to select a rocking horse she chose one painted dapple grey. After this visit the company produced only dapple grey rocking horses.
 

The first world war of 1914 to 1918 saw a decline in the manufacture of rocking horses due mainly to a shortage of materials and the skilled craftsmen required to make them. A revival in England during the last twenty years has seen a remarkable resurgence of this historical and much beloved toy. Today, antique wooden rocking horses have become collectors' items while new artists have emerged with their own personalised approach to this fine tradition. With over 15 years combined experience in the rocking horse crafts of joinery, carving, saddler and gesso-based finishing. Violetta Melville and Stephen Smith have the experience and commitment which ensures these stunning horses are created and finished to the highest possible standard with exceptional attention to detail. Beautifully manufactured and detailed Children's Heirloom Rocking Horses which will be passed from generations to generation.