S&S Woodcarvers Rocking Horses: Every Style, Size & Design
S&S Woodcarvers of Santa Ana, California made some of the most beloved hand-carved carousel rocking horses produced in America. Active from the early 1980s through the early 1990s, the company is no longer in business - which makes every piece that survives a genuine collectible.
This page is the most complete catalog of S&S Woodcarvers rocking horses anywhere online. It covers every model and style we've encountered, shows you the horses currently for sale, and keeps a record of the ones that have already found new homes.
If you're searching for an S&S Woodcarvers horse, join our email list - we notify you the moment a new one arrives.
About S&S Woodcarvers
Who Made These Horses?
S&S Woodcarvers was a small California workshop based in Santa Ana. Their rocking horses were entirely hand-made, each body part - head, neck, torso, legs, tail - was carved separately from solid wood, then glued together and reinforced with wooden dowels. A finishing artist then hand-painted every detail, selecting colors and decorative schemes that made each piece genuinely one of a kind.
The company signed and dated their work. You'll often find the painter's name and date inscribed on the belly - names like Ernesto (January 1991), El Casero (July 1990) and others appear across examples we've handled.
What Makes Them Collectible?
Three things set S&S Woodcarvers apart from mass-produced rocking horses:
Craftsmanship. These are full carousel-quality animals - the same construction technique used for amusement park horses, scaled for home use. The carving detail on the mane, tail, and saddle blanket rivals anything made in the period.
Rideability. Unlike purely decorative carousel figures, S&S horses are mounted on solid wooden rockers and built to actually ride. Both children and adults can use them safely.
Scarcity. The company made these in small numbers over roughly a decade. They rarely appear on the open market, and when they do, they sell quickly. Collectors and decorators both pursue them.
A Note on Diana Ross
S&S Woodcarvers' most famous design is known as "Diana's Large Carousel Horse On Rockers." The name comes from the fact that Diana Ross purchased one from the company years ago - the design became their flagship and most recognized model. Several color and size variants of this design exist; we document all of them below.
The Complete S&S Woodcarvers Catalog
S&S Woodcarvers produced a far wider range of carousel figures than most people realize. Beyond rocking horses, they carved full carousel animals, exotic figures, and carousel rides. Their product line was organized by a model numbering system that reflects both size and design family.
How to read an S&S model number: The first digit(s) indicate size/series; the last two or three digits indicate the design. For example, #1531 is a Small (1xxx) Diana's design (31), while #4031 is the Large On Rockers (4xxx) version of the same design. Model numbers were not always stamped on finished pieces - but the system is useful for matching a horse to the catalog by its proportions and design details.
Small Rocking Ponies - Series 1xxx
Standard dimensions: 36" H × 15" W × 40" L
The smallest rideable size S&S offered. Built for children but fully carved in the same carousel tradition as the larger pieces. All feature the signature brass pole and wooden rockers.
| Model # | Name |
|---|---|
| #1531 | Diana's Small Rocking Carousel Pony |
| #1532 | Majestic Small Rocking Pony |
| #1536 | Small Bright Carousel Pony |
| #1330 | Small Half Draped Pony |
| #1230 | Small Draped Pony Painted |
| #1112 | Small Master Art Pony — Oak Stained |
The earliest S&S piece we've personally handled was a Small Rocking Pony dated 1983 on the belly - likely one of the first years of production.
See Small Rocking Ponies we've listed.
Medium Rocking Ponies - Series 2xxx
Standard dimensions: 44" H × 18" W × 48" L
The medium series is the most diverse in the S&S lineup. It includes the Curly Tail family - arguably the most intricate carving the company produced - alongside classic carousel-style designs, specialty finishes, and even a unicorn.
| Model # | Name |
|---|---|
| #2231 | Diana's Medium Rocking Pony |
| #2232 | Majestic Medium Carousel Pony |
| #2232S | Majestic Medium On Stand — 55" H × 12" W × 42" L |
| #2233 | French Blue & Rose Medium Rocking Pony |
| #2236 | Medium Bright Pony |
| #2731 | Medium Wide Blanket Rocking Pony |
| #2111 | Medium Rocking Pony — Walnut Stained |
| #2120 | Medium Ribbon Design Carousel Pony |
| #2311 | Medium Curly Tail — Walnut Stained |
| #2331 | Medium Blue Curly Tail Rocking Pony |
| #2332 | Medium Renaissance Pony |
| #2143 | Unicorn Medium Rocking Pony — White Stained |
| #2430 | Americana (Flag) |
| #2530 | Floral Medium |
| #2540S | Pegasus — 55" H × 20" W × 40" L |
The Curly Tail's carved mane, upswept tail, and detailed saddle blanket make it one of the most artistically distinctive S&S designs. It came in walnut stain and painted (blue/white) finishes.
See Medium Rocking Ponies we've listed.
Three-Quarter Size Carousel Figures - Series 3xxx
Typical dimensions: 55-64" H × 12" W × 40-54" L
Larger than medium ponies but smaller than the full-size, this series reproduced classic American carousel manufacturer styles at three-quarter scale. These are not always on rockers - some are standers for display.
| Model # | Name | Dimensions (H × W × L) |
|---|---|---|
| #3130 | Dentzel Design Rabbit | 60" × 18" × 54" |
| #3230 | Three Quarter Size Carmel Floral | 60" × 18" × 54" |
| #3330 | 3/4 Carmel Floral Stander | 55" × 12" × 40" |
| #3430 | 3/4 Size Carmel | 60" × 12" × 44" |
| #3530 | Three Quarter Size Carmel Royal | 64" × 12" × 40" |
| #3630 | 3/4 Size Looff Fruits Design | 55" × 12" × 40" |
Large Carousel Horse On Rockers - Series 4xxx
Standard dimensions: 64" H × 24" W × 60" L
This is the flagship series - full carousel-scale horses mounted on wooden rockers, with brass pole and jeweled trappings. These are the pieces that made S&S Woodcarvers famous. Diana's Large (#4031) is the most recognized, but the series includes many design families inspired by the great American carousel manufacturers.
| Model # | Name | Dimensions (H × W × L) |
|---|---|---|
| #4031 | Diana's Large Carousel Horse On Rockers | 64" × 24" × 60" |
| #4032 | Majestic Large Horse On Rockers | 64" × 24" × 60" |
| #4033 | French Blue & Rose Large Horse On Rockers | 64" × 24" × 60" |
| #4034 | Blue Diana's Large Horse On Rockers | 64" × 24" × 60" |
| #4035 | Frosty Plum Large Horse On Rockers | 64" × 24" × 60" |
| #4036 | Large Illions Design Horse | 64" × 24" × 60" |
| #4037 | Black Stallion | 64" × 24" × 60" |
| #4038 | Large Autumn Design | 64" × 24" × 60" |
| #4039 | Large Antique Design | 64" × 24" × 60" |
| #4130 | Large Stander | 60" × 17" × 56" |
| #4230 | Priscilla's Large On Rockers | 64" × 24" × 60" |
| #4330 | Carmel Romance | 73" × 24" × 55" |
| #4430 | Carmel Floral On Rockers | 64" × 24" × 60" |
| #4530 | Herschell Design | 73" × 24" × 55" |
| #4630 | Bucking Carousel Horse | 73" × 24" × 61" |
| #4730 | Hippocampus — “Sea Horse” | 60" × 16" × 54" |
| #4830 | Dentzel Design Zebra | 67" × 16" × 46" |
| #4930 | Dentzel Angel Design | 65" × 15" × 51" |
Diana's Large dimensions varied slightly piece to piece - examples we've personally seen range from 52"×53" to 64"×60".
See Large Carousel Horses on Rockers we've listed.
Full-Size & Jumbo Carousel Figures - Series 5xxx-6xxx
Typical dimensions: 60-77" H
S&S also produced full-size carousel figures on fixed display stands rather than rockers - the same scale as pieces used on actual carousels. These were reproductions of classic designs from the great American carousel carvers: Dentzel, Looff, Muller, Stein & Goldstein, and others.
| Model # | Name | Dimensions (H × W × L) |
|---|---|---|
| #5100 | Looff 1900 Design — Unfinished | 77" × 24" × 53" |
| #5130 | Large Looff 1900 Design | 77" × 20" × 53" |
| #5230 | Looff Fruits Design | 77" × 24" × 63" |
| #5330 | Stein & Goldstein Design | 75" × 20" × 65" |
| #5420 | Large Carmel Royal On Rocker | 75" × 24" × 60" |
| #5500 | Dentzel Design Lion — Unfinished | 77" × 20" × 64" |
| #5510 | Dentzel Design Lion — Stained | 77" × 20" × 64" |
| #5530 | Dentzel Design Lion — Painted | 77" × 20" × 64" |
| #5630 | Dentzel Design Goat | 70" × 15" × 52" |
| #5830 | Muller Sword Design | 65" × 17" × 60" |
| #5930 | Large Armored Design | 75" × 15" × 60" |
| #6030 | American Beauty | 61" × 13" × 65" |
| #6130 | Dentzel Design Tiger | 77" × 18" × 72" |
Specialty & Miniature
| Model # | Name | Dimensions (H × W × L) |
|---|---|---|
| #0100 | Sitting Horse | 14" × 11" × 21" |
| #0200 | Mini Carousel Horses | 21" × 6" × 20" |
| #1400 | Carousel Cat — Unfinished | 36" × 15" × 42" |
| #MGR 8 | Full Carousel Ride | 8 ft. dia. × 11 ft. high |
Yes - S&S Woodcarvers built complete carousel rides. The MGR 8 is an 8-foot diameter operating carousel, the most ambitious piece in their catalog.
A Note on Design Inspirations
S&S Woodcarvers drew heavily from the tradition of American carousel carving. Several of their model names reference the great carousel manufacturers directly: Dentzel (Philadelphia, 1860s-1928), Looff (Coney Island, 1870s-1918), Muller (Tatamy PA, 1900s-1917), Stein & Goldstein (Brooklyn, 1900s-1919), Herschell, and Carmel. Collectors who know those names will immediately recognize the style references in each S&S design.
S&S Woodcarvers Carousel Horses (Stand-Mounted)
Beyond their rocking horses, S&S Woodcarvers also produced full-size carousel figures mounted on fixed display stands - horses meant to look exactly like those from an actual carousel, but without rockers. These are rarer than the rocking horse line and harder to find on the secondary market.
We've had the privilege of listing several over the years. See carousel figures we've sold.
Available Now
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Previously Sold
These S&S Woodcarvers horses have passed through our hands and found new homes or were temporarily listed with us. We keep them here as a reference - they help collectors understand what exists and what condition horses typically arrive in.
Diana's Large Carousel Horse On Rockers — West Des Moines, Iowa
| Dimensions | 42" H × 64" L; rockers 58"; pole 64" |
|---|---|
| Condition | Good — nicks and missing paint on saddle, rockers, tail, mane, and face; some missing jewels |
Diana's Large Carousel Horse On Rockers — near Sacramento, California
| Dimensions | 53.5" H × 54" L × 12" W; rockers 58" × 23" |
|---|---|
| Era | c. 1989 |
| Condition | Very good — minor marks on rockers; all jewels intact |
| Notes | A centerpiece in one family's home for over 30 years. Has the inscription “DONNA” behind the saddle — a gift from husband to wife. |
Diana's Large Carousel Horse On Rockers — Kennewick, Washington
| Dimensions | 55" H × 57" L × 11" W; rockers 57" × 23"; pole 65" |
|---|---|
| Era | 1992 — painted by Tonga |
| Condition | Good — two smudges, small scratch on saddle, minor crack below tail; all jewels intact |
Blue Diana's Large Carousel Horse On Rockers — Denver, Colorado
| Dimensions | 53" H × 54" L; rockers 58"; pole 64" |
|---|---|
| Era | 1993 — painted by Casero, November 22, 1993 |
| Condition | Good — scuff marks on face, saddle, and legs; a few missing jewels |
| Notes | Blue Diana's Large design — a rare color variant. |
Carmel Floral On Rockers — Johns Creek, Georgia
| Dimensions | 50" H × 55" L × 21" W; pole 65.5"; weight ~100 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Condition | Very good — wood knots showing through paint, marks on rockers; no missing jewels |
| Notes | Rare Carmel Floral design with roses carved in high relief on the breastband and saddle cantle. Rockers are removable. |
Diana's Blue Horse On Rockers — Jefferson County, Tennessee
| Dimensions | 53" H × 54" L |
|---|---|
| Era | 1990 — painted by GL |
| Condition | Very good — minor scuff marks on rockers; all jewels intact |
Diana's Pink & Blue Horse On Rockers — Fontana, California
| Dimensions | 52" H × 57" L |
|---|---|
| Era | 1990 — painted by Ernest |
| Condition | Very good — cracking top coat on base, small defect on seat; all jewels intact |
Diana's Large Carousel Rocking Horse — Los Angeles, California
| Dimensions | 52" H × 55" L × 11" W; rockers 59" × 21"; pole 68" |
|---|---|
| Era | Painted by T. Carreno |
| Condition | Good — minor paint chips from normal use |
Diana's Large Rocking Horse — Griffin, Georgia
| Dimensions | 53" H × 55" L; rockers 58"; pole 67"; floor to saddle 40" |
|---|---|
| Era | 1994 — painted by Casero |
| Condition | Very good — missing paint on rockers and tail; two missing jewels |
| Notes | A birthday surprise, discovered in an antique store in Victorville, CA and shipped to Georgia. |
Carousel Rocking Horse — near Detroit, Michigan
| Dimensions | 42" H × 42" L × 10" W; rockers 53"; pole 52"; weight 100 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Condition | Excellent — no defects, missing paint, or scratches; ready to ride |
| Notes | Full size, jumping pose; carved roses in high relief on breastband and saddle cantle; glass jewel bridle; removable rockers. Original owner was a collector of rocking horses; her children purchased it for her new. |
Diana's Medium Rocking Pony — Lomita, California
| Dimensions | 38" H × 38" L × 17" W; rockers 48"; pole 44" |
|---|---|
| Era | 1984 — painted by O. Recinos |
| Condition | Very good — minor marks on rockers, small scratch on saddle |
| Notes | Rare feature: red feathered hooves, similar to a Clydesdale's. Cherished by a family for decades; inherited from grandparents. |
White Diana's Carousel Rocking Horse
| Dimensions | 48.5" H × 43.5" L × 17.5" W; weight ~75 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Era | 1984 |
| Condition | Very good — primarily used for decoration |
| Notes | White with burgundy saddle, gold and burgundy detail, gold mane and tail. |
Curly Tail Rocking Pony — Walnut Stained — Denver, Colorado
| Dimensions | 39" H × 41" L × 9" W; rockers 48"; pole 44" |
|---|---|
| Finish | Walnut stained (natural wood tones) |
| Condition | Very good — minor wear |
| Notes | Discovered at an estate sale; carved tail, mane, and saddle blanket in excellent detail. |
S&S Wood Carvers Rocking Horse, 1984 — Cumming, Georgia
| Dimensions | 48.5" H × 43.5" L × 17.5" W; rockers 48"; pole 43"; weight ~75 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Era | 1984 production |
| Condition | Good — missing paint on top of head and tail; otherwise ready to ride |
S&S Woodcarvers Rocking Pony — Westwood, Massachusetts
| Dimensions | 41" H × 40" L; rockers 47.5" × 17" |
|---|---|
| Era | 1984 production |
| Condition | Good — repaired ear, nicks and missing paint on rockers |
S&S Woodcarvers Rocking Pony, 1984 — Playa del Rey, California
| Dimensions | 38" H × 38" L × 8" W; pole 43" |
|---|---|
| Era | 1984 production |
| Condition | Good — chipped ears, spots on neck, nicks on legs, scuff marks on rocker |
S&S Woodcarvers Rocking Horse, 1984 — Brick, New Jersey
| Dimensions | 40" L × 32" H × 8" W; floor to saddle 25" |
|---|---|
| Era | 1984 production |
| Condition | Good — broken left ear; missing center brass pole |
S&S Woodcarvers Rocking Horse — Phoenix, Arizona
| Dimensions | 30" H × 44" L × 18" W |
|---|---|
| Condition | Good — minor marks on mane and neck; hairline crack in saddle |
S&S Wood Carvers Rocking Horse, 1984
| Dimensions | 48.5" H × 43.5" L × 17.5" W; weight ~75 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Era | 1984 production |
| Condition | Good |
| Notes | Found by the seller's father at an estate sale; passed following 9/11. |
Diana's Small Rocking Carousel Pony — Huntington Beach, California
| Dimensions | 32" H × 31" L × 15" W; floor to saddle 24"; rockers 39"; pole 37" |
|---|---|
| Era | 1991 — painted by Oy Tongaxi; copyright pattern 1984 |
| Condition | Very good — minor nicks on rockers, small area of missing paint on saddle, mark on nose |
| Notes | Red saddle on blanket with red fringed border; carved mane, tail, and flowers on reins. |
Small Rocking Pony — Bloomington-Normal, Illinois
| Dimensions | 31.5" H × 30.5" L × 14" W; floor to saddle 24"; rockers 39"; pole 39"; weight 50 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Era | 1991 production; copyright pattern 1984 |
| Condition | Good — minor paint wear on tail and right ear; scuff marks on rockers |
| Notes | Used as a photo prop by a family of five. |
Small Rocking Pony — 1983 — Memphis, Tennessee
| Dimensions | 32" H × 31.5" L × 15" W; floor to saddle 24"; rockers 39"; pole 37" |
|---|---|
| Era | 1983 — one of the earliest confirmed S&S Woodcarvers pieces |
| Condition | Good — scratch marks on saddle |
| Notes | Owner described it as transporting her back to carousel rides with “music playing, bright lights and these very colorful animals that seemed to possess a life of their own.” |
Looff Floral Reproduction Carousel Horse — The Bronx, New York
| Model | S&S Woodcarvers Large Looff 1900 Design (#5130) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 67" H (floor to ear) × 51" L; pole 74" |
| Condition | Very good — minor wear on stand base; small crack in pole cover at top |
| Notes | Arched neck with flowing mane; 13 carved flowers on breastband, head, and hindquarters; flower-adorned lady's head behind saddle. |
Looff Reproduction Carousel Horse — Sugar Land, Texas
| Model | S&S Woodcarvers Large Looff 1900 Design (#5130) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 63" H × 54" L × 12" W |
| Condition | Very good — all details clearly visible |
| Notes | Jewels on breastband and hindquarters; flower-adorned lady's head behind saddle. Purchased from a collectors’ store in New Orleans in 1997; a fixture in the family home for over two decades. |
Diana's Carousel Pony (Stand-Mounted) — College Station, Texas
| Model | S&S Woodcarvers carousel pony — Diana's design on a fixed stand |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 62" H × 42" L × 8.5" W; pole top 67" |
| Condition | Good — right front and right rear legs broke during a move and were repaired |
| Notes | Original owner received it as a housewarming gift from her husband — “I had fallen in love with it the first time I saw it!” |
Muller Sword Design Carousel Horse
| Model | S&S Woodcarvers Muller Sword Design (#5830) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 65" H × 17" W × 60" L; stand with brass pole |
| Condition | Very good — no seam cracks; no varnish bleed-through |
| Notes | All-wood solid furniture-grade pine, glass eyes, silk-screen painted designs, and jewels. Sword visible on horse's right side. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are S&S Woodcarvers horses still being made?
No. S&S Woodcarvers of Santa Ana, California is no longer in business. All pieces on the market today are from the original production run, primarily the 1980s through early 1990s. This makes them genuine vintage collectibles.
How do I know if a rocking horse is made by S&S Woodcarvers?
Check the belly. Some pieces have the painter's name and date inscribed there - names like *Ernesto*, *El Casero* and others appear on examples we've handled. The company name is sometimes written as "S&S Wood Carvers" or "S & S Woodcarvers."
What are S&S Woodcarvers horses worth?
Condition, size, and the specific design all affect value. Full-size Diana's Large horses in good condition typically sell in the $1,200-$2,000 range. Medium ponies (Curly Tail) in very good condition sell in the $1,000-$1,500 range. Small ponies vary widely based on condition and rarity.
What's the difference between a "rocking pony" and a "carousel rocking horse"?
Both terms apply to S&S pieces. "Carousel rocking horse" generally refers to the larger, full-size Diana's designs - built to carousel scale with a brass pole and full jeweled trappings. "Rocking pony" typically refers to the smaller and medium sizes, though all S&S pieces share the same carousel-style carving and construction approach.
Can these horses be ridden?
Yes. S&S Woodcarvers built their horses to be ridden, not just displayed. The large Diana's models comfortably support both children and adults. The medium Curly Tail ponies are sized for children. The small ponies are best for toddlers and young children.
How should I care for or restore an S&S Woodcarvers horse?
Most light wear - surface scratches, minor paint chips, missing jewels - can be addressed without professional help. Read our guide on restoring wood rocking horses.
Have an S&S Woodcarvers Horse to Sell?
We help connect S&S Woodcarvers horses with buyers who will appreciate them. If you have one you'd like to sell, let us know here. We'll list it for you and reach out to the collectors on our waiting list.