Mechanical Marionette Theatre

Physical description

comprising two dolls on a platform which moves; 20th century version of the Negro Dancers
[Toy theatre] folding metal structure with a clockwork mechanism attached to one side
when opened out it forms, two uprights with bars for the platform and supports for the cover
in the centre of the bottom cross bars is a metal disc with card infill, printed in colours
[Toy theatre] upper cross bar of the theatre
metal with three v shapes in the length which are designed to hold the double staple of the female dancer and the single hook of the male dancer
[Floor] platform on which the dolls stand
lozenge shaped piece of metal printed with a multicoloured floral and geometric pattern
attached at each end by an eyelet is a flattened hook which fits onto the swing bar of the theatre
underside is card
[Lid] shape card, folded in half and covered with pink paper printed in green, yellow and red to show the title and trademarks
around the bottom edges is a dark orange silk braid with white tuffs
at each end is a panel of very fine silk in dark turquoise
[Doll] female dancer, made of very thin celluloid and painted in colours; arms mounted on pink covered metal bar which moves up and down - left arm is missing
basic celluloid is pink moulded as a head and torso, with the hair slightly darker and trimmed with a red bow and green band
mouth is open, smilling and painted red; side glancing intaglio eyes are dark with fine line lashes above and red single line brows
body is moulded as a tutu dress in dark red with blue and pink neck frill, a black belt with silver buckle
legs are attached under the skirt on wire loops which pass around the metal bar connecting the arms; feet shaped and painted as red straped shoes
attached to the arm and top of the head by black threads is a card plate with large staple - this fits over the cross bar fitting of the theatre

when operating the loosely jointed legs and the arm bar move in such as way as to look as if the doll is dancing
[Doll] male dancer dressed as a clown, made of very thin celluloid and painted in colours
basic celluloid is pink moulded as a head and torso, with the hair covered with a dark pink skull cap decorated with a dark blue pointed hat and red knob at the back
mouth is open, smilling and painted red; side glancing intaglio eyes are dark with red single line brows
body is moulded as a clown holding a guitar, in dark red and yellow decorated with red, black and silver spots; white and purple ruffs at the neck and sleeves
legs are attached under the torso on wire loops which pass around light blue plastic peg (this resembles a broken off knitting needle); legs and feet shaped as trousers and shoes and painted to match the body
attached top of the head by black thread is a metal hook - this fits over the cross bar fitting of the theatre

when operating the loosely jointed legs move in such as way as to look as if the doll is dancing
[Box] box lid, pink/brown card printed with a red geometric design which includes globes marked MY FRIEND
top is covered with a pictorial label printed in colours to show the title, maker's details and trademarks and an illustration of two dancers
on the inside is a label printed in blue to give the instructions together with a drawing to help assembly
[Box] matching box base
[Lining] plain brown card lining forming a aquare at one end of the box as a compartment for the dolls

Place of Origin

Japan

Date

1930-1939

Materials and Techniques

[Toy theatre] steel bars with clockwork mechanism
[Toy theatre] metal

Marks and inscriptions

[Toy theatre] MADE IN JAPAN
[Toy theatre] 1486835
[Floor] MADE IN JAPAN
[Floor] PATENT 15763
31663
[Lid] same marks as the box lid
[Doll] MY FRIEND
[Doll] MADE IN JAPAN
[Doll] MY FRIEND
JAPAN
[Doll] JAPAN
[Box] JAPAN 9859
NO.
PATENT 157685
[Box] PATENT APPLIED FOR
IN
USA CANADA & ENGLAND
[Box] TRADE CK MARK
REGISTERED
JAPAN & USA
[Box] MADE IN JAPAN
[Box] MADE IN JAPAN
TRADE CK MARK
REGISTERED
JAPAN & USA

Dimensions

[Toy theatre] height: 25.5 cm, length: 23 cm, width: 13 cm with clockwork key
[Toy theatre] length: 24 cm
[Floor] length: 25 cm, width: 8.5 cm at the widest part
[Lid] length: 24 cm, width: 8.5 cm
[Doll] height: 13 cm
[Doll] height: 14 cm
[Box] length: 35 cm, width: 14 cm, depth: 5 cm

Object history note

belonged to the Peakall Family - Reginald (b.1937), Jean (b.1939), Leslie (b.1941/2), Michael (b.1947), Shelagh (b.1950)

Production Note

Reason For Production: retail

Materials

Paper; Card; Silk; Metal; Cardboard; Thread; Braid; Celluloid

Techniques

Painted; Moulded; Printed

Categories

Black History

Production Type

mass produced

Collection code

MoC