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An Accurate Depiction of a Turn of the Century Horse-Drawn Buckboard, With Figures - A True Piece of Folk Art!

This incredible piece of art was made in 1964 by talented and meticulous machinist and hobbyist Harry Bystrom of Minneapolis. Mr. Bystrom created scale models of horse rigs and steam engines from memory, recalling his work with them as a young Wisconsin boy from 1914-18. He hand-carved the horses, cut the leather and crafted the intricate and functional horse gear and wagon boxes and created working movable parts. He used specialized bolts and findings to add delightful details. This is a one-of-a-kind treasure from another era! 

There are exquisite details in every inch of this folk art piece, a painstakingly created model of a farm buckboard wagon with metal-rimmed spoked wheels, carved wooden horses w/ bridles, harnesses and yokes of leather, driven by a carved couple in period dress.

Mr. Bystrom worked with precision in all of his work, and this piece was featured in an article in the Minneapolis Star Trib in November, 1964. See photos.

The dark wooden horses are hand-carved, w/ textured mane and tails and inlaid lighter wood marks on the foreheads. They have metal horse shoes and are outfitted w/ bits, bridles, blinders, reins, yokes and harnesses.

The horses pull a wooden turquoise wagon, complete w/ buckboard seat on a spring mechanism, a metal handle brake that moves and works, 3.5"-4" spoked wheels w/ metal rims and a leather whip in its own resting bracket. The wagon box floor has inlaid wood dots. The construction uses very fine, tiny metal bolts, hooks and chains (to scale).

Two delightful hand-carved people sit on the buckboard seat, permanently attached. The bearded gentleman holding the reins sports a dark suit, matching hat, and smokes a delicate pipe. His lady companion wears a long black dress, black pill box hat w/netting and a red feather, a netted scarf and tiny earrings and a brooch.

A carved black dog with textured fur, a copper chain collar and leather leash rides in the back.  

The whole unit is permanently mounted inside a handmade case with a wood base and a removable domed acrylic top, with brass handles on each end. Signed on the bottom "Bystrom 1964" and his address in pen - 3112 Lyndale.

Please see our detailed photos for additional information, and to see the 1964 news article.

Dimensions

• Case: 27.5” long x 10” deep x 10” tall
• Buggy w/horses: 24.5” long x 7” deep x 8.5” tall
• Dog: 3.5" l x 1" w x 2.25" tall
• Condition: Very good for age
• Horses: Smoothly carved - no cracks or dents. All intricate leather accessories appear complete.
• Wagon: A few tiny paint chips. Is mounted to the base platform w/ a hardware post. The seat has mini traditional "spring" joints (immobile). A 24" section of loose metal chain is included. this may have run through the 4 metal rings attached to the wagon box.
• People: The male driver has been repaired in his right leg and left shoe.
• Case Top: The case is top made of a  wood frame base w/ rigid hand-cut and glued acrylic dome. The glue has yellowed over time at the seams and there are 2 areas w/ 2-3" cracks in the plastic, but the case remains firmly together and structurally sound. The brass handles at the ends are missing the small brass pins that once held it permanently to the wood base.

Please see lots 2, 3, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, and 82 for finely detailed items created by Harry Bystrom.