Not currently on display at the V&A

Spinning Toy

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

This is a spinning toy operated by a push plunger turning cogs which turn a platform on which the toy sits. To the side is a coil of metal which quickly resets the plunger so it may be pushed again. The plunger and mechanism is gold coloured and the platform is green. In the platform are four cut out panels and in the centre is red plastic knob on which sits a small yellow fur fabric chicken with black eyes and an orange beak. Into the cut out panels slot four flame shaped metal pieces, each cream. When in place, these form an egg shape covering the chicken. As the toy spins, these pieces open out to show the chicken.
1. spinning toy with chicken
2-5. egg segments.

*The chicken is the same as many sold around the world at Easter for decorations. Those too are made in China.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Mechanical Spinning Toy
  • Mechanical Spinning Toy Egg Segment
  • Mechanical Spinning Toy Egg Segment
  • Mechanical Spinning Toy Egg Segment
  • Mechanical Spinning Toy Egg Segment
Materials and techniques
Lithographed tinplate and fur fabric, with plunger mechanism; tongue and slot joins
Brief description
Lithographed tinplate spinning toy with plunger mechanism made in China in the 1970s
Physical description
This is a spinning toy operated by a push plunger turning cogs which turn a platform on which the toy sits. To the side is a coil of metal which quickly resets the plunger so it may be pushed again. The plunger and mechanism is gold coloured and the platform is green. In the platform are four cut out panels and in the centre is red plastic knob on which sits a small yellow fur fabric chicken with black eyes and an orange beak. Into the cut out panels slot four flame shaped metal pieces, each cream. When in place, these form an egg shape covering the chicken. As the toy spins, these pieces open out to show the chicken.
1. spinning toy with chicken
2-5. egg segments.

*The chicken is the same as many sold around the world at Easter for decorations. Those too are made in China.
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
white paper label under the plunger printed in red with Chinese characters and MADE IN CHINA
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.190:1 to 5-1996

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Record createdApril 18, 2000
Record URL
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