Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Imagine Gallery, Adventure, Case 1

Pirate Captain

Figure
1920-1930 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Male figure with articulated arms, legs and feet. It is made primarily of wood with a card body covering at the sides and lead feet. It is painted, the body and arms are blue with an orange front and black belt. The legs are red and black and the feet black. There is a white ruff carved and painted at the neck. The face and hands are flesh coloured. The face features are painted on apart from the nose which is carved. The top of the head is carved and painted a black hat shape with a card brim decorated with the skull and crossbones. The arms, legs and feet are articulated by means of metal pins. There are small metal loops at the top of the back and chest to which strings could be attached. The arms are bent at the elbows and the figure has a card pirate flag attached to the right hand.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Pirate Captain (assigned by artist)
  • Toytown (series title)
Materials and techniques
Cast and painted lead, painted card, carved and painted wood
Brief description
Painted wooden puppet, Pirate Captain, made by S G Hulme Beaman in the 1920s
Physical description
Male figure with articulated arms, legs and feet. It is made primarily of wood with a card body covering at the sides and lead feet. It is painted, the body and arms are blue with an orange front and black belt. The legs are red and black and the feet black. There is a white ruff carved and painted at the neck. The face and hands are flesh coloured. The face features are painted on apart from the nose which is carved. The top of the head is carved and painted a black hat shape with a card brim decorated with the skull and crossbones. The arms, legs and feet are articulated by means of metal pins. There are small metal loops at the top of the back and chest to which strings could be attached. The arms are bent at the elbows and the figure has a card pirate flag attached to the right hand.
Dimensions
  • Height: 121mm
  • Width: 50mm
  • Depth: 41mm
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
  • Ahoy, matey! A pirate’s life was one of exciting adventures. They would explore, fight and dig up amazing treasures. But sometimes they stole and were not always nice people to spend time with. [Young V&A, Imagine Gallery short object label](2023)
  • ‘We’re a-huntin’ buried riches on yonder island. Know ye of any maps?’ [Young V&A, Imagine Gallery call to action](2023)
Credit line
Given by Betty Billett
Object history
One of Hulme Beaman's own original Toytown puppets that he used for scene-setting prior to writing and illustrating his stories and plays
Subject depicted
Bibliographic reference
Hulme Beaman, S.G. The Book of Toytown and Larry the Lamb, London: Harrap, 1979
Collection
Accession number
B.64-2000

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Record createdFebruary 19, 2001
Record URL
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