Donatello thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Imagine Gallery, Living Together, Case 3

Donatello

Action Figure
1988 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (or Hero Turtles as they were previously known in the UK), were trained by their Sensei, Master Splinter, to become skilled Ninja warriors. They fought criminals and alien invaders from their home in the New York sewer system. Although they fought many different enemies throughout the series, their consistent archenemy was Shredder, a villainous ninja master.
They originated in an American comic book published by Mirage Studios in 1984, but became extremely popular after the TV series launched in 1987. By the early 1990s Ninja Turtles merchandise was everywhere and they became part of pop culture history. The merchandise was made by Playmates Toys and started production in 1988. Donatello was the intellectual genius and preferred to use his intellect to solve conflicts. He carried a bo (long staff) as his weapon.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Donatello (manufacturer's title)
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (series title)
Materials and techniques
Plastic, injection moulded
Brief description
A green plastic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figure, Donatello, made by Playmates Toys in 1988
Physical description
A green plastic humanoid turtle figure with beige chest and dark green shell. He wears a purple mask with purple joint supports of the knees, elbows and wrists. He has a black belt with a 'D' on the buckle.
Dimensions
  • Height: 115mm
  • Maximum width: 75mm
  • Depth: 45mm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
'1988. Mirage Studios. Playmates Toys'
Object history
Donated as part of a collection of Ninja Turtle objects (B.156:1-2004 to B.173-2004) by an unknown donor. This figure would have originally carried a bo (staff weapon), but it is missing.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (or Hero Turtles as they were previously known in the UK), were trained by their Sensei, Master Splinter, to become skilled Ninja warriors. They fought criminals and alien invaders from their home in the New York sewer system. Although they fought many different enemies throughout the series, their consistent archenemy was Shredder, a villainous ninja master.
They originated in an American comic book published by Mirage Studios in 1984, but became extremely popular after the TV series launched in 1987. By the early 1990s Ninja Turtles merchandise was everywhere and they became part of pop culture history. The merchandise was made by Playmates Toys and started production in 1988. Donatello was the intellectual genius and preferred to use his intellect to solve conflicts. He carried a bo (long staff) as his weapon.
Collection
Accession number
B.158-2004

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Record createdAugust 1, 2008
Record URL
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