Articulated wood toy cyclist - Belgian folk art, early 20th century

“Articulated Toy Cyclist - Belgian Folk Art, Early 20th Century“.
Hand Carved Solid Wood - Rare Colonial Subject - Pedal Mechanism (Missing Strap).

Description:
Rare and remarkable Belgian folk art toy from the early 20th century, entirely hand-carved in solid wood, depicting a stylized black cyclist on a green-painted bicycle. The figure is articulated, and the toy was originally designed with a mechanical belt system (now missing) linking the pedals to the rear wheels. When in motion, this mechanism realistically simulated the cyclist's pedaling, giving a lively impression.

Materials &Construction:
Main material: Solid wood (no plywood or reconstituted wood).
Figure &bike: Hand-carved and hand-painted (polychrome: green, red, black, ochre).

Mechanical characteristics:
Articulated limbs driven by a central axle.
Wheels with metal spokes mounted on rotating axles.
Belt slots (belt now missing).

Dimensions :
Length: 53 cm.
Height: 42 cm.

Condition: solid structure, original paintwork with patina and wear in keeping with age; belt missing, but mechanical elements visible and coherent.

Iconography &Cultural Context:
The cyclist is depicted as a stylized black man, wearing a red cap and a simple uniform, in an expressive, naive style typical of early folk toys. This toy probably reflects the Belgian colonial presence in the Congo at the beginning of the 20th century (independent Congo until 1908, then Belgian Congo). At the time, caricatured representations of African people were common in toys, advertisements and exhibitions.
This toy is not only a charming mechanical piece, but also an important historical testimony to the cultural and ideological representations of the time.

Dating &Attribution:
Period: circa 1900-1930.