Not currently on display at the V&A

Jumping frog

Wooden Toy
1982 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

“The Blue Cat Toy Company” consists of Arthur Findlater and Mally Sargent, who have been running their business since 1980. They are based in Gloucestershire and make a range of wooden toys including badges, pull-along animals, boats, trains, aeroplanes and cars. Each item is unique and is signed and dated. Their work is sold through shops and galleries, or by mail order. They were named “Toymaker of the Year” by the British Toymakers’ Guild in 1984/5.

All these toys are of painted and varnished wood. The doll and from were voted joint “Toy of the Year” by the British Toymakers’ Guild in 1982. The doll is based on an ancient Egyptian design and her hair of wooden beads rattles against her body. The frog jumps when the stick is flicked making a loud ‘clack’.

Misc. 127, 128, 129-1983


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleJumping frog (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Wood, string and leather
Brief description
Painted wooden frog made in England by The Blue Cat Toy Co in 1982
Physical description
A plain length of varnished pine with a grip of brown leather nailed to one end.At the other end is attached with string a "frog" painted green with yellow spots and black, blue and yellow facial features. The legs are attached to the body with string. By gripping the leather handle and flicking the stick, the frog jumps, making a loud clacking noise.
Dimensions
  • Length: 26.7cm
  • Width: 2.5cm
  • Depth: 1.25cm
Gallery label
Jumping Frog, 1983 Gripping the leather handle and flicking the stick makes the frog jump up and forward with a loud clacking noise. Made in England by Blue Cat Toy Company.
Credit line
Given by The Blue Cat Toy Co. Ltd, England 1983 [83/898]
Object history
Historical significance: The Blue Cat Toy Co. was set up by Molly Sargent and Artur Findlater initially in July 1982 at the Fosseway House Workshops. They moved to the Cirencester Workshops, Brewery Court, Cirencester, Gloucestershire on March 1st 1983. The Jumping Frog and the Rattle Paddle doll also by the same makers won the British Toymakers Guild Toy of the Year award in 1982.
Subjects depicted
Summary
“The Blue Cat Toy Company” consists of Arthur Findlater and Mally Sargent, who have been running their business since 1980. They are based in Gloucestershire and make a range of wooden toys including badges, pull-along animals, boats, trains, aeroplanes and cars. Each item is unique and is signed and dated. Their work is sold through shops and galleries, or by mail order. They were named “Toymaker of the Year” by the British Toymakers’ Guild in 1984/5.

All these toys are of painted and varnished wood. The doll and from were voted joint “Toy of the Year” by the British Toymakers’ Guild in 1982. The doll is based on an ancient Egyptian design and her hair of wooden beads rattles against her body. The frog jumps when the stick is flicked making a loud ‘clack’.

Misc. 127, 128, 129-1983
Collection
Accession number
MISC.129-1983

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Record createdJanuary 23, 2004
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