Soft Toy
1970s (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The duck-billed platypus and the koala are both native to Australia and both are popular toys in this part of the world. The classic design of these toys, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s was kangaroo skin covering a hard interior. These toys are not therefore very suitable for cuddling. Many toy koalas were exported to Britain but the duck-billed platypus is much rarer.
In real life the platypus is one of only five species of mammal that lays eggs. It is also venemous - the male has a spur on its hind foot that delivers a poison capable of causing severe pain.
In real life the platypus is one of only five species of mammal that lays eggs. It is also venemous - the male has a spur on its hind foot that delivers a poison capable of causing severe pain.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Stitched and stuffed kangaroo skin |
| Brief description | Duck-billed platypus soft toy made in Australia probably in the 1970s |
| Physical description | A simply shaped unjointed soft toy with four short legs and a large beak. The feet all end in four leather claws and the beak is made of the same material but is stuffed. The eyes are black and orange plastic. The fur is very short, pale brown on top and beige on the underside. The stuffing is very firm and the whole toy has been very carefully stitched together. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Yvonne Gordon |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The duck-billed platypus and the koala are both native to Australia and both are popular toys in this part of the world. The classic design of these toys, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s was kangaroo skin covering a hard interior. These toys are not therefore very suitable for cuddling. Many toy koalas were exported to Britain but the duck-billed platypus is much rarer. In real life the platypus is one of only five species of mammal that lays eggs. It is also venemous - the male has a spur on its hind foot that delivers a poison capable of causing severe pain. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.142-2009 |
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| Record created | January 7, 2010 |
| Record URL |
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