Mother's Carousel Cat carved by Marsha Schloesser of DeLand, Florida is a reproduction of the famous Dentzel Cat.

I have always said that animal people are a rare breed, eccentric characters with an undeniable love for their pets. My mother's case is no different. Her home has turned into a cat lair, full of every imaginable bit of cat-related paraphernalia that could fit in her home. Antique china cabinets and curios are filled with every collectible piece she could find, with pieces coming from Israel, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Mexico, and many more…. From cat dolls and plates, to paintings, statues, figurines, pillboxes and more, lots more! When you enter her home, there are a few things that stand out, such as the huge Letterman portrait of the White Persian lying on a chase, or the painting of her Himalayan cat Sneakers that she commissioned the late artist Marzia Sebastianelli MacDonald to do for her. Another piece, and definitely a point of interest for every visitor, is the Carousel Cat in the living room. It is a handmade replica of a Dentzel Cat, made by Marcia Schloesser of Deland, Florida. It hangs on a brass pole and base, and is white with an elaborate saddle and reigns and a fish in its mouth, just as Dentzel's original. When this piece first arrived, I hated it, in all honesty. It was large and colorful and sort of awkward; everywhere it was put it stood out like a sore thumb. As years have gone by and the dècor has changed a bit, the Carousel cat has earned its place in our home, and I have grown fond of it. It still remains a piece that all visitors compliment.

Muller/Dentzel Hippocampus: One of three known in the world, a fourth was badly damaged in a fire. Carved by Master Carver, Daniel Mueller. It features a graceful pose, expressive face, layered see-through mane, projecting fins and detailed fish scales on body, curled tail, ornate decorations include the head of a fish at each side of the saddle cantle. Estimated market value is over $175,000.00.

I was first intrigued and learned more about the Carousel animals a few years back, when I read an article on them. It spoke of the interesting history behind the carousels and the worth of some of the animals. Carvings can range anywhere from $1,000 to the world record auction price of $165,000 for the circa 1900 Dentzel Rooster that sold in 1989. The menagerie pieces (non-horses) usually demand a higher price. A Dentzel Cat sold in 1992 for $27,500 and a Dentzel Lion has brought $90,000.

Dentzel Rabbit

G. A Dentzel, Steam and Horsepower Carousel Builder
Gustav A. Dentzel left Germany for Philadelphia in 1860 at the age of 20. In his native Germany, he had carved carousels for his father and soon began doing the same in the United States. In 1867 Gustav Dentzel changed the nameplate of his cabinet making shop to G. A. Dentzel, Steam and Horsepower Carousel Builder. Dentzel continued making carousels, and made slight changes to his traditional designs. Johann Heinrich Muller was a carver for Dentzel until his death in 1890, and his sons Daniel and Alfred were treated like family and worked for Dentzel for many years. They left the factory to carve for others, in an attempt to escape the stern control Dentzel had on them. The Mullers earned a respectable name for themselves. Their pieces are still highly collectible.

Italian carver Salvatore "Cherni" Cernigliaro also made a large contribution to the Dentzel designs after he was hired in 1903. He was responsible for introducing the series of menagerie animals such as the cat, pig, and rabbit. He first began his carousel carving career in the shops of E. Joy Morris, another notable carousel maker of the time.

Dentzel Flag Horse Reproduction: The original of this famous horse was carved in the Dentzel studio. The head is thought to be the work of Daniel Mueller, one of the greatest of all carousel carvers. The horse is scaled down in size from the original to make it easier to display (36" body, about 48" overall). Price: $4,755.

Dentzel's Death and Beyond
After Gustav Dentzel's death in 1909, his son William took control of the company and headed it for twenty years until his death in 1928. The company was then sold at auction to a competitor, the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Unfortunately, at the time, the family was not interested in continuing the Carousel Tradition.

After more than 150 years, the Dentzel Carousel Company is still owned and operated by the Dentzel family. Fifth generation carousel maker William H. Dentzel III has continued on in his father's, grandfather's, great and great-great grandfathers' traditions.

His company makes smaller "flying horses" machines today, along with the whole variety of Dentzel menagerie animals from horses to kangaroos.

One of the few Dentzel Carousels that is still fully functional can be found in Riverside, California at the Royal Castle Amusement Park. It is one of the oldest Dentzel Carousels still intact. It is nearly 100 years old and has 52 hand-carved Dentzel animals and two sleighs that are circa 1905. The animals include cats, ostriches, reindeer, lions, tigers, bears, pigs, and of course, horses. It is valued at over 1.5 million dollars and is enclosed in a million-dollar pavilion with glass windows in order to protect it from inclement weather and other elements that might damage it. Two large majestic lion statues stand guard at the entrance. This carousel was originally built for the Hershey Chocolate Company and the Hershey Amusement Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It was moved to Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, California in the mid 1950s. Park owner Bud Hurlbut, who also owns the remaining carousel at Knotts Berry Farm, moved it to its present location at Castle Amusement Park in 1985.

Dentzel Prancing Goat c.1890 A very old and precious Dentzel Prancing Goat. Double Eagle carvings on saddle cantle. Beautiful face with tongue out. Deeply carved fur, 49 inches high by 50 inches tall, plus height of horns. "Gilley the Goat" can be yours. Price $17, 225. To purchase, please call "The Gallery of the Carousel Network." (703) 916-8585

Today Dentzel Carousel pieces are among the most sought-after pieces for private collectors. As children, we often do take everything for granted, and if anyone would have told me that the merry-go-round I rode as a child, when we were in Knotts Berry Farm so many, many years ago was worth over a million dollars, I would have never believed them. Today I'd smile and recall the simplicity of youth, and the treasure appreciated by adulthood. Every time I visit my mother's living room and am greeted by her Carousel Cat that I so hated, I realize that things do get better as you get older.

Special Thanks to:
William (Bill/Guillermo) Dentzel III from allowing us to use the photo of the Dentzel Rabbit and information from his website.
For more information about the Dentzel Carousel Company contact William H. Dentzel, 843 53rd Street. Port Townsend, Washington 98368.
Phone: (360) 385-0304 Fax: (360) 385-1068 E-mail: bill@dentzel.com.
http://www.dentzel.com/

Roger Burgess of "The Gallery of the Carousel Network" for allowing us to use the photos of Dentzel Goat and the replica of Dentzel Flag Horse.
For more information contact The Carousel Network:
Phone: (703) 916-8585 E-mail: reb@carousel.net.
http://www.carousel.net/gallery

Bob McCann of Timeless Treasures, Inc. for allowing us to use the following photos: Muller/Dentzel Hippocampus, and the Dentzel Ostrich.
Mr. McCann can be reached at 4343 McCullough Avenue. San Antonio, TX 78212
Phone:(210) 829-7861 Fax: (210) 829-7862 E-Mail: treasures@express-news.net.
http://www.eden.com/~mainlink/carousel/index.htm.

Marsha Schloesser of The Carousel Worshop 218 South High Street. Deland, FL 32720
Phone: (904) 738-4229 for the beautiful photo and reproduction of mother's Dentzel Cat.
http://www.carousel.net/workshop/index.htm

-Kareem Tabsch is a freelance writer who specializes in celebrity interviews. He has interviewed celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Julio Iglesias, Barbara Mandrell and others. He writes frequently on animal related issues as well as on the entertainment industry.