Velocopedes first appeared in France in the 1830's and were a significant step in the development of bicycles. Basically a toy horse mounted on a tricycle, they continued to be made in France until circa 1914. They typically had cast iron heads, supporting a hand crank from which a chain drive drove the rear wheels. Steering was achieved by foot pedals on the front wheel. British toy makers also made them in quantity 1880-1914, variations include having the front wheel cranked and turned by pedals, with steering enabled by a handlebar on the head passing through a shaft down to the wheel. In the 1980s replicas were imported from the Phillipines, often suitably "distressed". New in is this fine french example, you can see more about him on http://www.sallysrockinghorses.com/Antique-Rocking-Horse-57.html