The NCA Carousel Identification Project on this page was completed on 09/18/2010
The Request:
I am curious about a carousel panel I had purchased September 12th 2010 at a Flea Market. We purchased this from a man who had stated that this piece was from a carousel in Connecticut. We are uncertain of the artist and the age of this piece. If you are able to help, it would be greatly appreciated.
The NCA Conclusion:
Your panel is a rounding board is from an E. Joy Morris carousel. Your rounding board matches other known rounding boards from the c1902 E. Joy Morris carousel that last operated at Lake Quassy, Middlebury, CT. The Lake Quassy, E. Joy Morris carousel was broken-up at auction in 1989. Unfortunately this was the last E. Joy Morris carousel in operation.
Attached is an image showing one of the rounding boards from the Lake Quassy, E. Joy Morris carousel. Your rounding board appears to have been repainted since it was removed from the carousel. Several of the Lake Quassy rounding boards has paintings in the center oval area as does yours. The attached example shows a mirror. At this time we do not know if the oval paintings on the Lake Quassy E. Joy Morris rounding boards are original paintings or not. You painting should be conserved until more information is discovered.
