A wonderfully characterful vintage wooden dachshund, somewhere between a piece of folk art, a toy and a small exercise in mid-century design.
Carved from dark-stained wood, our long-bodied friend is assembled with articulated legs, ears and tail, held together with neat brass slotted screws. This gives him a surprisingly broad repertoire: alert, inquisitive, vaguely suspicious, or — with a little rearrangement — enthusiastically pleased to see you.
The simplified form and mechanical construction place it firmly within the tradition of European wooden animal toys that became particularly associated with Scandinavian design during the mid-20th century. Kay Bojesen's famous wooden dachshund first appeared in Denmark in 1934, part of a wider movement away from realistic animal models towards objects with simpler forms, movable parts and rather more personality.
This example has its own distinct character. The elongated, gently arched body is beautifully shaped, with paddle-like legs, floppy ears, a pointed muzzle and wonderfully economical carved details around the face and neck. The visible brass screw heads are very much part of its appeal, giving the whole thing a pleasingly workshop-made quality.
There are signs of age and use throughout: small knocks, scratches and rubbing to the finish, all entirely sympathetic and arguably rather essential. The articulated elements remain movable.
An unusually charming little object. Technically a dachshund; in practice, quite difficult not to fiddle with.
Dimensions:
Height: 16 cm
Length: 33 cm
Width: 6 cm
Condition:
Good vintage condition with age-related wear, marks and rubbing to the wooden surface. Articulated components remain movable. Please refer to the photographs for further detail.
Delivery:
Qualifies as a smaller item. UK delivery via insured courier/FedEx at checkout; international shipping available—please get in touch for a quote.
