Not on display

This object consists of 5 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Toy Lion

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

1. box lid, white printed in red and other colours to show the title in English, French and Chinese and photographs of the toy itself.
2. box base, white card
3. lion, lithographed tinplate, gold with red markings; the mouth is red, yellow and white plastic. The underneath of the body and inner front legs are yellow plastic. The head is decorated with bright pink fur fabric to represent the head hair and ears and there are coloured plastic knobs on the forehead. It is possible that when operating these knobs light up. Under the chin are three bells and on the top of the head a green fur fabric decoration and metal and blue thread tassels. Between the front paws, on an upright metal post, is a large ball, tinplate in red with green and gold markings.
4. tail, fan shaped bright pink fur fabric with a gold and green metallic decoration. This sits on a post protruding from the lions upper body.
5. battery cover plate which sits over the hole in the base of the body.

The battery is housed inside the body and the on/off switch is on the left side. When operating, the lion moves along on two large yellow plastic wheels; there is a balance knob at the rear end. At the same time the post supporting the ball turns so the ball spins. Also activated is the head which allows the mouth to open and close, jingling the bells underneath the chin, and the tail moves from side to side on the post which is connected to the mechanism.

*One of the major mythological symbols is the dragon and the pearl with the dragon always trying to catch the pearl. This may be a toy represent- ation.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Box Lid
  • Box Base
  • Mechanical Toy Lion
  • Tail for Mechanical Toy Lion
  • Battery Cover for Mechanical Toy Lion
Materials and techniques
Lithographed tinplate, fur fabric and plastic, with a battery operated mechanism; tongue and slot joins
Brief description
Boxed battery operated lion made in China in the late 1970s
Physical description
1. box lid, white printed in red and other colours to show the title in English, French and Chinese and photographs of the toy itself.
2. box base, white card
3. lion, lithographed tinplate, gold with red markings; the mouth is red, yellow and white plastic. The underneath of the body and inner front legs are yellow plastic. The head is decorated with bright pink fur fabric to represent the head hair and ears and there are coloured plastic knobs on the forehead. It is possible that when operating these knobs light up. Under the chin are three bells and on the top of the head a green fur fabric decoration and metal and blue thread tassels. Between the front paws, on an upright metal post, is a large ball, tinplate in red with green and gold markings.
4. tail, fan shaped bright pink fur fabric with a gold and green metallic decoration. This sits on a post protruding from the lions upper body.
5. battery cover plate which sits over the hole in the base of the body.

The battery is housed inside the body and the on/off switch is on the left side. When operating, the lion moves along on two large yellow plastic wheels; there is a balance knob at the rear end. At the same time the post supporting the ball turns so the ball spins. Also activated is the head which allows the mouth to open and close, jingling the bells underneath the chin, and the tail moves from side to side on the post which is connected to the mechanism.

*One of the major mythological symbols is the dragon and the pearl with the dragon always trying to catch the pearl. This may be a toy represent- ation.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12.1cm
  • Width: 36.8cm
  • Depth: 28cm
10 in x 12½ in x 11 in without tail
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
MADE IN CHINA MS 848 FABRIQUE EN CHINE on box MADE IN CHINA MS 848 with Chinese characters on toy
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
Collection
Accession number
B.144:1 to 5-1996

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Record createdApril 18, 2000
Record URL
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