No 3 Roebuck

Circa 1910

Jemima is a treasure of a rocking horse dating to around 1910.

An ugly horse that arrived was nonetheless very solid and during restoration, not only did we uncover a remarkably beautiful horse, we discovered a hole on her near side for a sidesaddle pommel, and traces of gold plating on the ironwork. Brackets and irons have been gilded in 24K gold leaf in keeping with how she was made. Under her saddle was the autograph of a B. D. Willis who refurbished her last in 1953. This inscription was preserved as part of her provenance.

We have made every effort to restore Jemima her stand and harness to her original appearance with authenticity. We were very fortunate to have another similar horse here with original paint intact and were able to faithfully copy dappling; and to find reclaimed Kauri pine that matches the remaining original wood to make a reproduction of the stand she would have had, with pillars in in the Ayres style. These are identical copies of an original Roebuck pillar from the same time.

Jemima has now gone home and hope that the pleasure she gives there is equal to the privilege of restoring her.