Toy thumbnail 1
Toy thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Toy

ca. 1670 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Ornamental toy in the shape of a swan. Made from loose coils of silver wire wrapped around a stuffed body covered in white plain woven silk. The feet and wings have been attached to the body, formed from thicker wire similarly wrapped. Small amounts of black woven silk have been incorporated under the wrapping to indicate the webbed feet and beak. Two black and white glass beads are attached for the eyes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Plain woven silk with silk additions, wrapped in silver wire and with glass beads
Brief description
Ornamental toy in plain woven silk in the shape of a swan, possibly made by Martha Edlin, England, ca. 1670
Physical description
Ornamental toy in the shape of a swan. Made from loose coils of silver wire wrapped around a stuffed body covered in white plain woven silk. The feet and wings have been attached to the body, formed from thicker wire similarly wrapped. Small amounts of black woven silk have been incorporated under the wrapping to indicate the webbed feet and beak. Two black and white glass beads are attached for the eyes.
Dimensions
  • Maximum height: 8cm
  • Maximum length: 10cm
three dimensional shape necessitates approximate measurements
Credit line
Purchased with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund
Object history
Purchased. Registered File number 1989/1572.
Passed down through the female line (usually the eldest daughter in each generation) from the maker to the vendor.
Previously on loan to the V&A since 1927. Part of Lady Gerahty Loan and Lewis Loan. Related papers include NF for Lady Gerahty, NF for Gillian Lewis, 86/713, 89/1572.
Production
Associated with objects made by Edlin
Subject depicted
Collection
Accession number
T.449-1990

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Record createdJanuary 22, 1999
Record URL
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