Painted wooden wrestlers made in Scotland by Gurr & Jamieson in 1988

Two flat wooden figures of male wrestlers with jointed limbs, made to face each other, their arms outstretched and their hands painted locked together. The figures are hand painted with pink bodies, heads and limbs, and dark brown boots with white laces. One has red shorts; the chest and chin are mottled with brown and black paint to represent hair.The other figure wears an all in one blue leotard. Both figures have painted facial features including a red finger print on each cheek, and a single silver earring. The "blue" wrestler has a tuft of black plush fabric glued to the top of his head; the "red" wrestler has an auburn coloured tuft. A length of red cord runs through the clasped hands with a knot separating the two arm sections. There is a turned wooden knob at each end of the cord. When the cord is pulled taut the figures fight and kick each other. The figures are contained in the original cardboard box with lid.

Given by the Gurkin Puppets, scotland 1980s. [88/882]

Example of wooden craft toy made in a TRADITIONAL DESIGN.

This toy of two wrestlers was made by craftsman toy makers Alan Jamieson and Bernice Gurr in 1988. The toy is based on a very old design but the makers have given it a completely new look. They set up in business together at the Craft Centre in Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfriesshire in Scotland in 1981.

MISC.149&A-1988