Furniture Puzzle
1946-1984 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
British toymaker Susan Wynter (1923- 2013) started making objects from wood when she was eight years old. Growing up, she lived in London near a billiard table maker where she would use the wooden off-cuts and leftover green baize to create her own objects. As Susan grew older and had children, she began to design toys for the nursery, focusing on both function and education. Through this new approach to toymaking, Susan Wynter began to gain international fame, exhibiting at the London Design Centre, the Venice Biennale, and in various trade fairs in British Pavillions.
Her business, the Toy Trumpet, began as a small toy shop in St. Ives where Susan started designing and making high quality wooden toys. Through her toys Susan was keen to promote exploration through and also designed toys for children with special needs. These toys were then sold to stores like Harrods and Fortnum and Mason. In the late 1960s Susan moved the business to Essex and settled in Brightlingsea where she employed local people. The company grew exponentially, providing toys for major companies like James Galt and the Educational Supply Association.
This furniture puzzle demonstrates the harmonious mix between function and form. The puzzle creates a challenging yet fun approach to learning, while the furntiure itself presents children with the opportunity to be creative. It is this use of creative wooden toys to promote learning that makes Susan Wynter's toys so distinctive.
Her business, the Toy Trumpet, began as a small toy shop in St. Ives where Susan started designing and making high quality wooden toys. Through her toys Susan was keen to promote exploration through and also designed toys for children with special needs. These toys were then sold to stores like Harrods and Fortnum and Mason. In the late 1960s Susan moved the business to Essex and settled in Brightlingsea where she employed local people. The company grew exponentially, providing toys for major companies like James Galt and the Educational Supply Association.
This furniture puzzle demonstrates the harmonious mix between function and form. The puzzle creates a challenging yet fun approach to learning, while the furntiure itself presents children with the opportunity to be creative. It is this use of creative wooden toys to promote learning that makes Susan Wynter's toys so distinctive.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 13 parts.
|
Materials and techniques | Painted wood |
Brief description | Furniture store puzzle, wood, made by Susan Wynter, England, 1946-1984 |
Physical description | furniture store puzzle formed by 13 pieces (one stool is missing). The storehouse is a red drawer shaped like a house with a gabled end and a blue cylindrical chimney. All the furniture fit inside and make a squared block. The furniture has blue decoration and they consist of 2 beds, 1 large table, 4 chairs, 1 cooker, a fireplace, 2 sofas and 1 stool (another one is missing). The wood has not been polished or painted and has a rough finish. |
Dimensions | |
Credit line | Given by Susan Murray |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | British toymaker Susan Wynter (1923- 2013) started making objects from wood when she was eight years old. Growing up, she lived in London near a billiard table maker where she would use the wooden off-cuts and leftover green baize to create her own objects. As Susan grew older and had children, she began to design toys for the nursery, focusing on both function and education. Through this new approach to toymaking, Susan Wynter began to gain international fame, exhibiting at the London Design Centre, the Venice Biennale, and in various trade fairs in British Pavillions. Her business, the Toy Trumpet, began as a small toy shop in St. Ives where Susan started designing and making high quality wooden toys. Through her toys Susan was keen to promote exploration through and also designed toys for children with special needs. These toys were then sold to stores like Harrods and Fortnum and Mason. In the late 1960s Susan moved the business to Essex and settled in Brightlingsea where she employed local people. The company grew exponentially, providing toys for major companies like James Galt and the Educational Supply Association. This furniture puzzle demonstrates the harmonious mix between function and form. The puzzle creates a challenging yet fun approach to learning, while the furntiure itself presents children with the opportunity to be creative. It is this use of creative wooden toys to promote learning that makes Susan Wynter's toys so distinctive. |
Collection | |
Accession number | B.65:1 to 13-2014 |
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Record created | July 19, 2014 |
Record URL |
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