Furia by Front x Gebrüder Thonet Vienna – Photo by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna. Happy Year of the Horse!
Design. What better way to celebrate the Year of the Horse than with a herd of the most inventive rocking horses in design? Whether inspired by musical instruments or structural I-beams, these wonderfully whimsical creations by Nendo, Marc Newson, Front, and others prove that even the most timeless of childhood toys can be beautifully reinvented. Happy New Year/新年快乐!
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Front x Gebrüder Thonet Vienna: Bent to Perfection
Photo by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna.
Named after the beloved horse from a classic children’s television series, Furia is an elegantly restrained rocking horse by Swedish duo Front for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna. Drawing on GTV’s long tradition of steam-bent wood, the designers applied the graceful language of the iconic Thonet Rocking Chair — a masterpiece from the 1860s — to this lovingly hand-crafted toy. Available in beech or ash wood finished with hard wax, staining, or paint, Furia’s seats are upholstered in supple leather.
Fritz Hansen: Strung Like a Cello
Photo by Fritz Hansen.
Fritz Hansen‘s heritage team discovered two small photographs of a charming rocking horse in a 1946 furniture catalogue, sparking a three-year project to bring the design back to life. “We found inspiration for the curvature of the piece from centuries-old techniques used in crafting musical instruments, like cellos and violins,” explains Mads-Ulrik Husum, Design Developer at Fritz Hansen. “Once we started to view the rocking horse as a musical instrument, we had a way to approach the design with a fresh perspective, utilising circles and lines to create its perfect curvature.”
Nendo x Kartell: Structural Whimsy
Photos by Akihiro Yoshida – Courtesy of Nendo and Kartell.
Japanese design studio Nendo took a brilliantly structural approach for Kartell, drawing inspiration from the I- and H-shaped beams used to support bridges and skyscrapers. “By applying this concept directly to the toy, a form has been created that displays both function and strength even with minimum use of materials,” says Oki Sato, founder of Nendo. The main body traces the curve of a transparent I-beam — broader at the base, narrower at the seat — while the horse’s head emerges as a flat, sweeping extension of the seat itself.
Marc Newson x Magis: Medieval Meets Pop
Photo by Magis.
Marc Newson brings his unmistakable design sensibility to Rocky, a playful reimagining of a time-honoured object for Magis. As the Australian designer describes it, “a pop version taking its form loosely from medieval jousting horses.” Its distinctive parallelogram motion echoes the gentle sway of a traditional rocking horse. Rotationally moulded polyethylene lends lasting durability and welcome recyclability. Proof that familiar forms can be made thrillingly new.
Ferm Living: Where Line Meets Play
Photo by Ferm Living.
Ferm Living brings its signature pared-back sensibility to a childhood favourite with the Lussi Rocking Horse. Its sleek metal frame, finished to a smooth perfection, has the quietly enchanting quality of a line drawing sprung to life. Soft, uninterrupted curves lend the piece a warmth that belies its minimal construction, making Lussi a wonderfully inviting companion for imaginative young adventurers.
Wilsonic Design: The One That Hugs Back
Googy by Wilsonic Design.
Googy is the endearingly cushioned creation of Slovenian studio Wilsonic Design, led by Nina Mihovec, and produced by Novak Living Design. Thoughtfully designed to be as robust as it is loveable, Googy works equally well as a hug-proof toy for little ones and a sturdy, playful seat for grown-ups who can’t resist. Crafted from carefully selected wood and finished in high-quality, washable textiles, it’s a piece that invites everyone — regardless of age — to join in the Year of the Horse celebrations.
Rocking Horse by Fritz Hansen – Photo by Fritz Hansen.
H-Horse by Nendo x Kartell – Photos by Akihiro Yoshida.
