Wakouwa
Wakouwa
1951 to 1971 (manufactured)
1951 to 1971 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This object is one of a collection given to the museum. This 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 collected includes dolls from other manufactures 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.
This collected includes dolls from other manufactures 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 | |
| Title | Wakouwa (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Wood and string |
| Brief description | Black cat Wakouwa, string toy, made by Tri-ang in England from 1951 |
| Physical description | A wakouwa is a string controlled toy. The cat is made up of multiple parts that are held together by string this sits on a red plinth, when the button is pressed underneath the cat seems to move. The cat is black with yellow eyes and red mouth, the plinth it sits on is circular and red. It has the Triang stamp on the front. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Triang Wakouwa
Made in England |
| 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. The small sized Wakouwa appears on page 42 of the 1951/2 Triang toys catalogue. It states: Wakouwa Juniors The vest pocket models perform all the tricks of the full-size Wakouwas plus a few of their own! Precision moulded in plastic, carefully detailed and finished in bright colours, the Wakouwa Junior series has proved to be another Tri-ang winner! The half penny is to scale with the Wakouwa Juniors They're neat, small winners! |
| Summary | This object is one of a collection given to the museum. This 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 collected includes dolls from other manufactures 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.51-2010 |
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| Record created | June 17, 2010 |
| Record URL |
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