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Indian Girl

Doll
1961 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This object is one of a collection given to the museum. The collection is quite important as it belonged to Dennis Arkinstall. Dennis worked in the toy industry for a company called Lines Brothers Ltd, they were mostly famous for their Tri-ang range of toys. Dennis was a sculptor and worked in the research and development of new toys for the company in particular the dolls which were produced under the Pedigree trade name. The catalogues highlight that their range of dolls are realistic and produced by a sculptor. We do not know when Dennis started working at the factory but we know that he was an influential figure in the designing of their most popular doll Sindy, which was produced in 1963.

This collection includes dolls from other manufacturers as he would have collected them to inspire new ideas. They are often just heads, which was not uncommon as these were usually exported in large numbers and the bodies made at their destination as it was a cheap way to manufacture. The collection also includes moulds and experimental pieces from the factory as well as complete ones in their presentation boxes.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Doll
  • Box
TitleIndian Girl (manufacturer's title)
Brief description
Plastic moulded Indigenous American girl doll. Complete with blue and white striped Pedigree box with cellophane window.
Physical description
This doll is part of the 7 inch character doll series that Pedigree created. They are all dressed in authentic national costumes. This particular doll is an Indigenous American girl with braided hair and band round the head. Her catalogue number is 7SW/IG and she can be located in the 1961 Pedigree catalogue, where she was titled 'Indian Girl'.
Credit line
Given by Donald Arkinstall
Object history
This item belonged to Dennis Arkinstall, who worked for Lines Brothers Ltd as a sculptor. It was given to the museum by his son after his death.
Historical context
An accompanying Native American boy doll was also made by Pedigree complete with bow and arrows. Other characters within this collection include Madame Butterfly, Little Bo-Peep and Robin Hood.
Summary
This object is one of a collection given to the museum. The collection is quite important as it belonged to Dennis Arkinstall. Dennis worked in the toy industry for a company called Lines Brothers Ltd, they were mostly famous for their Tri-ang range of toys. Dennis was a sculptor and worked in the research and development of new toys for the company in particular the dolls which were produced under the Pedigree trade name. The catalogues highlight that their range of dolls are realistic and produced by a sculptor. We do not know when Dennis started working at the factory but we know that he was an influential figure in the designing of their most popular doll Sindy, which was produced in 1963.

This collection includes dolls from other manufacturers as he would have collected them to inspire new ideas. They are often just heads, which was not uncommon as these were usually exported in large numbers and the bodies made at their destination as it was a cheap way to manufacture. The collection also includes moulds and experimental pieces from the factory as well as complete ones in their presentation boxes.
Collection
Accession number
B.36:1, 2-2010

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Record createdApril 28, 2010
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