Melbourne Zoo Merry-go-round

  
  Melbourne Zoo's Merry-go-round was imported to Australia from England in 1886. A portable machine, it travelled Australia with the Briggs family of showmen until 1963 when it's permanent home became the Royal Melbourne Zoo. Restoration of the ride began in 1997 with government funding from Heritage Victoria. Restoration of the thirty horses was carried out by Equus Art from December 2004 through to June 2005. The Merry-go-round was officially opened to the public on August 7, 2005. Click on each image for a larger picture.
Two inside rows of English horses by Lines and an outside row of German horses grace the Merry-go-round. Paint investigation revealed the original trappings coloyurs on the German horses. The colours were recorded and repeated in the new, decorative finish. Hand stippled dapple grey was chosen for the outside horses, following German catalogue references and original paint findings. The only horse with a rolled saddle cantle.
Original brass decoration and glass jewels were found beneath layers of paint and fiberglass on each German horses. All were removed, cleaned and polished and returned to the same horse. This German horse was found with extensive insect damage to the neck and head. Damaged wood was removed while the shell of original carving was conserved. This German horse's head is in a different carving style to the other nine. With their romance side on the left side, these horses were carved for a clockwise turning machine, such as those made in England.
Orange, green and terracotta red were recurring colours on the German horses. Tails combed, ready for opening day, all were made from the traditionally used cow tail hair. A few German horses retained their brass bridle tassels. Underneath was evidence of their painted dappled finish. Two English thoroughbreds - five dark horses complement the dapple greys.
The hand dappling on the English horses follows the style of the Lines company. The chestnut colouring was inpired by George Stubbs painting of "Whistlejacket" in the 18th century. With large eyes and a friendly face, this one has a 'coltish' expression. Several styles of head were found on the handcarved English horses, but all shared similar body profiles like their rocking horse brethren.
First riders on the restored merry-go-round on August 7, 2005. Original centre panels with new scenery paintings by Bob Clutterbuck. Centre mirrors and crown panels , all original to the Merry-go-round. The steam centre engine made by Tidman of England in the 1880s. Cleaned and polished but no longer operational.
Rounding board paintings by Bob Clutterbuck depict animals in their natural habitats. Attaching original jewels and brass decoration to the German horses. Horses "in the white" awaiting decorative finishing at Equus Art. In park paint and fiberglass covering, horses line up for the Restoration Stakes...
German horses after the removal of fiberglass. Underneath we found decades of paint had been previously removed with a blow torch, causing surface burns to the wood. Under the fibreglass, the previously stripped horses had open joins and a multitude of old repairs. Principal carver, Max Geranio, carving two new back legs for a German horse.