Annabel is a professionally restored G and J Lines rocking horse dating to circa 1900-30.
This delightful small rocking horse features extra carving on her neck and legs, remanant "Thistle" badges on her stand. The rocking brackets are replacement. The natural horse hair mane and tail is in a dark grey
G & J Lines operated from 1850-1931 initially in the busy King's Cross area of London. They became Victorian England's largest rocking horse maker, yet maintained the highest qualities of workmanship and carving. G&J stands for the founding brothers, George and Joseph Lines
Prior to 1914 they operated five scattered workshops across London. The brackets usually have been stamped on the underside, with J&G being stamped on a slightly different model with a thicker neck to those stamped G&J.
The neck on a J and G is much thicker and the rump more square when viewed from the rear, compared to a G and J. The underside of the brackets should also be stamped JG, as opposed to GJ, this being followed by a number of "L"s (for Lines, London and maybe Ltd)
Extra carving is more intricate and detailed carving added to "deluxe" models to produce a more realistic horse. This is usually down the neck, sometimes lightly on the legs. Additional features such as teeth and even a tongue may also be included.
To purchase or find out more about this horse, please contact Sally, either by email or phone on the links on the footer, or better still, visit our showroom in the scenic Shropshire Hills, we would be delighted to see you.
