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Tactile 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.

The tactile turning blocks, like many of Susan Wynter's toys, function as a method of learning and play. Using different textures and colours this toy allows children to broaden their senses, especially those of sight and touch. This creative and visual process of playing with such an object promotes education and entertainment.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Wooden turning blocks with a variety of textures, wood, made by Susan Wynter, England 1946-1984
Physical description
Wooden turning blocks consisting of three cubes joined by a metal rod with a rounded metal head on each extreme. The blocks have holes with different materials inside on each of their sides: yellow felt, blue corduroy, burgundy sandpaper and green plain-woven fabric. The blocks can be turned on the rod to find three of a kind in one row.

Dimensions
  • Width: 4cm
  • Length: 13.5cm
  • Height: 4cm
Credit line
Given by Susan Murray
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.

The tactile turning blocks, like many of Susan Wynter's toys, function as a method of learning and play. Using different textures and colours this toy allows children to broaden their senses, especially those of sight and touch. This creative and visual process of playing with such an object promotes education and entertainment.
Collection
Accession number
B.84-2014

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Record createdJuly 19, 2014
Record URL
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