Primitive Wheelbarrow, 19th Century

North America, possibly Mexico

19th century | Wood | Item 2466

This is a great, old wheelbarrow with lots of character. The original label has a price of $2,695, from a company named Valley Furniture and Interiors. I’m told that this was a store in Albuquerque that no longer exists. The wheelbarrow was built by mortise and tenon with very little hardware. Metal reinforcements have been added to the leg braces some time ago, if not when originally built. The wheels are made of segments that are dovetailed. The wheels are not truly round, so their movement comes with small thumps as the facets of the wheels move along. The wood is nicely aged, with no apparent paints or varnishes. This is a beautiful example by a skilled wood craftsman.