Not currently on display at the V&A

Clockwork Toy Parrot

1975-1979 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This toy parrot is lithographed tin plate with an internal clockwork mechanism. Its tail is loosely connected to its body. When wound up the parrot moves up and down, causing the tail to move. It was made in China probably for the local market rather than for export.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Lithographed tinplated steel, clockwork mechanism
Brief description
Lithographed tinplate clockwork parrot made in China in the late 1970s
Physical description
The parrot is lithographed tinplate and the mechanism is housed inside the body with the key bar protruding from the left side. It is red with black, blue, yellow, green and white markings. It stands on a shaped and decorated plate representing feet and the tail is loosely connected to the body. The underside of the feet are covered with cardboard.
When wound up the parrot appears to bob up and down which allows the tail to move.
Dimensions
  • Height: 10.1cm
  • Width: 16.4cm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Clio Whittaker
Object history
References: This collection of toys was acquired by the donor while attending Peking University in 1978 and 1979. The majority of the toys were made in China for its own market.

See additional notes, B. 106-1996
Subject depicted
Summary
This toy parrot is lithographed tin plate with an internal clockwork mechanism. Its tail is loosely connected to its body. When wound up the parrot moves up and down, causing the tail to move. It was made in China probably for the local market rather than for export.
Collection
Accession number
B.121-1996

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Record createdApril 18, 2000
Record URL
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