Clockwork Toy Monkey
1950s (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This object was donated to the Museum from part of the Michael Buhler collection of tin toys. Tin toys cover a vast array of subject matters ranging from the space age to domestic objects. This monkey was made in England, possibly in the 1950s. The first tin toys appeared in the United States in the middle of the 19th century. The tin toy industry soon spread to Europe, particularly Germany, where many tin toys were made around Nuremberg. The three main manufacturers of tin toys based in the UK were Wells Brimtoy, Chad Valley and Mettoy. Many tin toys produced in the UK were considered crude or naive by the standards of those produced in Germany or Japan.
This monkey looks as though it could be part of a circus set, and the somersaulting monkey was not just produced in England, but also in France, India, Japan and China. All of these examples can be found in Michael Buhler's collection.
This monkey looks as though it could be part of a circus set, and the somersaulting monkey was not just produced in England, but also in France, India, Japan and China. All of these examples can be found in Michael Buhler's collection.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Lithographed tin-plated pressed mild steel |
| Brief description | Tin toy, somersaulting monkey, made in England, 1950s. |
| Physical description | A clockwork toy monkey, lithographically printed to appear to be wearing blue trousers, a cream shirt and a red waistcoat with yellow piping. The monkey is brown with a cream face. There is a hole on its left side where a key or winder could fit. When activated, the monkey's arms and legs would spin all the way round enabling the monkey to somersault. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Made in England' |
| Credit line | Given by Alexandra Buhler |
| Object history | This object was donated by Alexandra Buhler from the Michael Buhler collection. Buhler collected a vast array of tin toys and published a book on the subject called 'Tin Toys 1945-1975'. His collection covers a variety of subject matters ranging from space toys to more domestic objects. The collection contains tin toys from around the world including Japan, Europe, India and the USA. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This object was donated to the Museum from part of the Michael Buhler collection of tin toys. Tin toys cover a vast array of subject matters ranging from the space age to domestic objects. This monkey was made in England, possibly in the 1950s. The first tin toys appeared in the United States in the middle of the 19th century. The tin toy industry soon spread to Europe, particularly Germany, where many tin toys were made around Nuremberg. The three main manufacturers of tin toys based in the UK were Wells Brimtoy, Chad Valley and Mettoy. Many tin toys produced in the UK were considered crude or naive by the standards of those produced in Germany or Japan. This monkey looks as though it could be part of a circus set, and the somersaulting monkey was not just produced in England, but also in France, India, Japan and China. All of these examples can be found in Michael Buhler's collection. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.110-2010 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | September 21, 2010 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
