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Bib

ca. 1947 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The design of the child carrying an exaggeratedly large banana, together with its accompanying slogan of 'Only a dream', clearly refers to food rationing during World War Two (1939-45), and in particular to the scarcity of bananas and other imported fruit during those years. Imports took up valuable resources such as fuel and manpower, and the ships which brought most of the imports were targeted by enemy bombs. The UK government needed to make sure that all possible resources went toward winning the war rather than protecting consume choice.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Appliqued and embroidered cotton
Brief description
Baby's bib, cotton decorated with appliqué of a child with a banana; made in England, ca. 1947
Physical description
Baby's oval bib of loose weave white cotton, with a scalloped edge buttonhole-stitched in blue except for the round neck, which is plain. The centre of the bib is decorated with an appliquéd image of a small child wearing a blue sleep suit and carrying a gigantic banana, above the words "ONLY A DREAM" embroidered in blue. The bib fastens at the neck back with tying tapes of white cotton.
Dimensions
  • At centre length: 26.4cm
Credit line
Given by Joan Laurance
Object history
Bought for the donor's daughter, Pamela Laurance (born 25/09/1947): given by Joan Laurance (RF 92/355)
Historical context
The design of the appliqué clearly refers to food rationing, and in particular the scarcity of bananas and other imported fruit during World War Two.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The design of the child carrying an exaggeratedly large banana, together with its accompanying slogan of 'Only a dream', clearly refers to food rationing during World War Two (1939-45), and in particular to the scarcity of bananas and other imported fruit during those years. Imports took up valuable resources such as fuel and manpower, and the ships which brought most of the imports were targeted by enemy bombs. The UK government needed to make sure that all possible resources went toward winning the war rather than protecting consume choice.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.146-1992

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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