2022 North American Select Miniature Donkey Sale

This is an authentic, antique Sicilian Festival Cart imported from Palermo, Italy. These carts are brilliantly decorated inside and out, and this one has over fifty carved faces on the main body alone. Each wheel spoke also has a face carved on it. The murals on the side of this box tells the story of Christopher Columbus.

In 1929 the first miniature donkeys were imported to the United States by Mr. Greene of New Jersey. This cart and some of the donkeys came by rail to Iowa in the 1950's. It is estimated to be over one hundred years old. The harness is also traditional with bells, mirrors, plumes and bright colors.

Miniature donkeys trace their ancestry back to the Mediterranean region where these diminuative donkeys were used as work animals for every day tasks. However, on feast days it was customary for as many passengers as possible to pile into the cart and the father, dressed in a black velvet suit, would lead the overburdened donkey to the site of the celebration.

The donkey is real that was killed in a freak accident. She was once the Reserve Champion Jennet at Halter in Shelbyville, Tennessee years ago. The pedestal is on wheels which makes it easy to move. The harness is original other than the feathers. The harness fits a 31½" tall donkey. We were told that the cart was over 150 years old!

We are offering the cart, harness and donkey mount for one price.

Dimensions:

Depth: 34"
Width: 38"
Length: 7'
Wheel: 34"
Donkey Base: 18" x 48"
Donkey w/Base: 5' x 3' (base is 4")
Donkey's Height: 30" (Ground to top of ears: 42")

There are forty carved faces on the box and twenty-four carved faces on the wheels. Hand beat threads on hubs and nuts. All hand painted. The pics are of Columbus going to the kings and queens to receive money to go to the new world. The harness is super ornate.