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Carousel

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 carousel is one of many that Susan Wynter used to play on this motif of entertainment and amusement. The subject of the carousel, classically known for its use of horses, is updated through the use of bright colours and use of different animals.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Painted wood, string
Brief description
Horses and birds carousel, wood, made by Susan Wynter, England, 1946-1984
Physical description
Moving carousel consisting of a pink square base mounting on a slightly larger squared wooden pedestal and covered by a round roof crowned with a pink cylinder, which is connected to the base by a rod. It has two yellow birds with red decoration and two green horses with yellow and pink decoration. The animals are linked to the roof by wooden rods with pink stripes, and two of the rods are connected to the central pillar by strings that make the carousel turn in different directions. The base has a sticker that reads Susan Wynter attached to it.
Dimensions
  • Width: 9.5cm
  • Depth: 9.5cm
  • Height: 19cm
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 carousel is one of many that Susan Wynter used to play on this motif of entertainment and amusement. The subject of the carousel, classically known for its use of horses, is updated through the use of bright colours and use of different animals.
Collection
Accession number
B.67:1 to 2-2014

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Record createdJuly 19, 2014
Record URL
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