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Not currently on display at the V&A

Wenlock

Mascot
2010 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Wenlock is the official Olympic mascot for London 2012. He has a camera lens for an eye, the Olympic rings as bracelets, and a taxi light on top of his head.

Wenlock and Paralympic mascot Mandeville were designed by London-based company iris, and inspired by a short story by children’s author Michael Morpurgo which told how they were formed by drops of steel in the production of the Olympic stadium. Aimed at children to promote London 2012, the mascots star in their own short film, have a social media presence and appear on a wide range of merchandise.

The name comes from Much Wenlock, the town in Shropshire that inspired the modern Olympic Games.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleWenlock (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
plush, plastic, embroidered
Brief description
Wenlock, plush toy. Official mascot of London 2012 Olympic games.
Physical description
Plush toy, with short legs, long arms and a short pointed tail, with one large eye on front of head. Silver-grey with orange embroidery across the front of the body, with the London 2012 logo at centre. The word 'London' and the Olympic rings are embroidered in black. There are black, green and red rings on the left hand and yellow and blue rings on the right hand. With card label attached to right hand and plastic hook through top.
Dimensions
  • Height: 455mm
  • Hand to hand width: 36cm
  • Depth: 18cm
  • Height: 176mm (Note: seated)
  • Width: 415mm (Note: seated)
  • Depth: 242mm (Note: seated)
Content description
Label features logos of Worldwide sponsor VISA and the Olympic rings, and website address
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • London
  • 'Wenlock / Olympic mascot / Soft Toy / 3+ YRS' 'Thankyou for purchasing this London 2012 Official Licensed Product. / Manufactured under license by Golden Bear Products Ltd.' 'Find more London 2012 products online at London2012.com/shop'
Credit line
Given by Elgate Products Limited
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Associations
Summary
Wenlock is the official Olympic mascot for London 2012. He has a camera lens for an eye, the Olympic rings as bracelets, and a taxi light on top of his head.

Wenlock and Paralympic mascot Mandeville were designed by London-based company iris, and inspired by a short story by children’s author Michael Morpurgo which told how they were formed by drops of steel in the production of the Olympic stadium. Aimed at children to promote London 2012, the mascots star in their own short film, have a social media presence and appear on a wide range of merchandise.

The name comes from Much Wenlock, the town in Shropshire that inspired the modern Olympic Games.
Collection
Accession number
B.126-2011

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Record createdJanuary 27, 2012
Record URL
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