Physical description

A flat triangular bat with handle and three birds sitting on it, one at each corner. The neck and head of each bird are loose and attached to a length of string. These pass through three small circular holes in the bat and join together and attach to a wooden ball. As the ball is swung the birds' heads move up and down in a pecking motion. The whole is brightly coloured.

Place of Origin

India (made)

Date

1950s (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown

Materials and Techniques

Carved and painted wood

Dimensions

Length: 10 cm approx, Height: 20 cm approx

Object history note

Part of the Lovat Fraser Bequest (Misc.352/465-1978), bequeathed to the museum by Grace Lovat Fraser, widow of Claud Lovat Fraser the artist. The initial basis of the collection was a group of Indian toys belonging to Lovat which he gave to Grace as an engagement present.

Descriptive line

Three carved and painted wooden birds on a bat made in India in the 1950s

Labels and date

Pecking birds toy, 1950-1960
A brightly-coloured toy made in India. The heads of the birds are loose and attached to lenghts of string. As the ball is swung the heads move up and down in a pecking motion. []

Materials

Wood; String (fiber product)

Techniques

Carving; Painting

Subjects depicted

Birds

Categories

Dolls & Toys; Children & Childhood

Collection

Museum of Childhood