Gustav Dentzel was an immigrant and entrepreneur. He moved to Philadelphia in 1860, initially opening a cabinet-making shop. Soon after, he taught himself how to carve, mobilize, and operate a small, portable carousel that could travel across the country. Recognizing a growing market for leisure activities, Dentzel went into the carousel-building business full time by 1867. This particular sculpture is rare. Dentzel’s shop carved very few roosters, likely due to the extensive detailing required when carving feathers.