Push Along Toy
1946-1984 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
British toymaker Susan Wynter (1923- 2013) started making objects from wood when she was eight years old. Growing up, she lived in London near a billiard table maker where she would use the wooden off-cuts and leftover green baize to create her own objects. As Susan grew older and had children, she began to design toys for the nursery, focusing on both function and education. Through this new approach to toymaking, Susan Wynter began to gain international fame, exhibiting at the London Design Centre, the Venice Biennale, and in various trade fairs in British Pavillions.
Her business, the Toy Trumpet, began as a small toy shop in St. Ives where Susan started designing and making high quality wooden toys. Through her toys Susan was keen to promote exploration through and also designed toys for children with special needs. These toys were then sold to stores like Harrods and Fortnum and Mason. In the late 1960s Susan moved the business to Essex and settled in Brightlingsea where she employed local people. The company grew exponentially, providing toys for major companies like James Galt and the Educational Supply Association.
This model figure of a fishmonger done in wood shows Wynter's creative approach to exploring a variety of occupations. In this rendition, children can play and interact with a toy model can wheel around and sell fish. The simplicity and fun colours of the model allow for a more approachable toy, connecting with children of all ages.
Her business, the Toy Trumpet, began as a small toy shop in St. Ives where Susan started designing and making high quality wooden toys. Through her toys Susan was keen to promote exploration through and also designed toys for children with special needs. These toys were then sold to stores like Harrods and Fortnum and Mason. In the late 1960s Susan moved the business to Essex and settled in Brightlingsea where she employed local people. The company grew exponentially, providing toys for major companies like James Galt and the Educational Supply Association.
This model figure of a fishmonger done in wood shows Wynter's creative approach to exploring a variety of occupations. In this rendition, children can play and interact with a toy model can wheel around and sell fish. The simplicity and fun colours of the model allow for a more approachable toy, connecting with children of all ages.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Painted wood, canvas |
Brief description | Fishmonger, wood, made by Susan Wynter, England, 1946-1984 |
Physical description | Fishmonger with a white hat, fabric canvas blue and white apron, brown painted hands, eyes, nose and mouth, and a moving wheel on the base with painted feet on it. He pulls a yellow stall with a striped grey and white canvas overhang and two wheels with a red centre. There is a red string under the overhang from which 3 fishes are hanging, a yellow one with brown eyes, a purple one with white patterns and a green one with white patterns. There is a sticker that reads The Design Centre London attached to the stall table. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by Susan Murray |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | British toymaker Susan Wynter (1923- 2013) started making objects from wood when she was eight years old. Growing up, she lived in London near a billiard table maker where she would use the wooden off-cuts and leftover green baize to create her own objects. As Susan grew older and had children, she began to design toys for the nursery, focusing on both function and education. Through this new approach to toymaking, Susan Wynter began to gain international fame, exhibiting at the London Design Centre, the Venice Biennale, and in various trade fairs in British Pavillions. Her business, the Toy Trumpet, began as a small toy shop in St. Ives where Susan started designing and making high quality wooden toys. Through her toys Susan was keen to promote exploration through and also designed toys for children with special needs. These toys were then sold to stores like Harrods and Fortnum and Mason. In the late 1960s Susan moved the business to Essex and settled in Brightlingsea where she employed local people. The company grew exponentially, providing toys for major companies like James Galt and the Educational Supply Association. This model figure of a fishmonger done in wood shows Wynter's creative approach to exploring a variety of occupations. In this rendition, children can play and interact with a toy model can wheel around and sell fish. The simplicity and fun colours of the model allow for a more approachable toy, connecting with children of all ages. |
Collection | |
Accession number | B.61-2014 |
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Record created | July 19, 2014 |
Record URL |
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