Customize your lawn jockey with your racing silks, your alma mater, your favorite team or too match your decor!
Order your lawn jockey in any color, with any logo, crest or design on it.
Showcase your hero on a lawn jockey! The Seabiscuit story is famous for a reason. Let that legacy shine in your decor.
Customize your lawn jockey with your racing silks, your alma mater, your favorite team or too match your decor!
See Your Colors
Where Tradition
Meets Artistry
Welcome to See Your Colors, where tradition meets artistry and innovation!
Our handcrafted lawn jockeys are made from the finest modern materials using an antique mold, ensuring both timeless charm and lasting durability. Whether you're an equestrian enthusiast or simply love unique lawn decor, our in-house artist will bring your vision to life with meticulous detail and vibrant colors. Imagine your favorite team, company logo, or racing silks beautifully depicted on one of our bespoke jockeys. Each piece is fully customizable and designed to make a lasting impression, capturing the spirit of your passion. Explore our selection and let us help you showcase your colors with pride. For more information, call or text us at 908-339-5060. Your perfect lawn jockey awaits!
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Early Origins: The Legend of Jocko Graves
One of the most enduring myths surrounding lawn jockeys dates back to the American Revolutionary War. The story centers around a young African American boy named Jocko Graves, who is said to have been a devoted servant of General George Washington.
According to legend, in the winter of 1776, Washington was preparing to cross the Delaware River for a surprise attack against the Hessians in Trenton, New Jersey. Jocko, eager to assist, was tasked with holding a lantern on the riverbank to guide the troops back. Tragically, the young boy reportedly froze to death while faithfully carrying out his duty. Moved by his loyalty, Washington allegedly commissioned a statue in Jocko’s likeness, which became known as the “Faithful Groomsman.”
While this story is widely told, there is no historical evidence to confirm it. Many historians consider it to be more of a romanticized folktale rather than a factual account. However, the legend contributed to the perception of lawn jockeys as symbols of devotion and service.
The History of Lawn Jockeys: From Origins to Modern Perspectives
Lawn jockeys are a unique and often controversial aspect of American decorative history. These small, human-like statues, typically made of cast iron or concrete, have adorned front yards, driveways, and estates for over two centuries. While some view them as quaint or nostalgic pieces of Americana, others see them as relics of a racially fraught past. This article will delve into the history of lawn jockeys, tracing their origins, cultural significance, and the evolving interpretations of their symbolism.
The Rise of Lawn Jockey Statues in the 19th Century
By the 1800s, small iron statues resembling the so-called Jocko figures began appearing on the front lawns of wealthy estates, particularly in the Southern United States. During this period, lawn jockeys served a practical purpose—they functioned as hitching posts where visitors could tie their horses. The statues were often placed near driveways or in front of stables, making them both decorative and functional.
Two Styles of Lawn Jockeys Emerge
As their popularity grew, lawn jockeys began appearing in two distinct styles:
Jocko
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These figures were often depicted as young Black men, dressed in jockey attire, holding a lantern or hitching ring.
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Typically painted with exaggerated features, including wide eyes and red lips.
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Most associated with the “Faithful Groomsman” legend.
Cavalier
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Introduced later, these statues depicted white men in jockey uniforms, often with a more neutral facial expression.
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This style became popular in the 20th century, especially after racial sensitivities around the original versions increased.
Lawn Jockeys and the Underground Railroad: Fact or Fiction?
Some historians and enthusiasts argue that lawn jockeys played a secret role in the Underground Railroad, the covert network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom in the North before the Civil War. According to this theory:
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Runaway slaves used the statues as signals to identify safe houses along their journey.
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A red ribbon or cloth tied around the jockey’s arm meant "danger—do not stop here."
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A green ribbon or cloth indicated a safe haven.
While this theory is compelling and often repeated, there is little concrete historical evidence to support it. Most accounts rely on oral tradition rather than documented proof. Nonetheless, the idea that some lawn jockeys may have been used as covert markers for escaping slaves adds an additional layer of complexity to their history.
