Sand Toy
Sand Toy
1850 - 1860 (made)
1850 - 1860 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
glass front cardboard box, covered on all side but the front with marbled papers and around the edge of the glass with gold paper stamped with floral and cable patterns (passe partout)
the toy itself consists of the sand toy equipment inside the box fronted by a printed sheet showing a soft green field disappearing into the background (possibly representing sugar cane) and in the lower corners, brighter green plants each with the image of a curly haired baby, one playing a violin and the other a banjo like instrument; their right arms are jointed
in the centre suspended on a very fine wire is the figure of a black woman, jointed at the waist and both lower legs; figure is 'wearing' a red and dark yellow cap, red bodice with yellow around shoulders, tan double flounce skirt and dark blue apron, a parasol is held near head; the figure's feet rest on the base covered with emerald green and black mottled paper
the rest of the glass is infilled with a scalloped ridge of green tissue paper at the top and a strip of gold passe partout and dark brown printed paper at the bottom
*at the back there are several layers of marbled paper indicating that the box has been opened several times; under the bottom has been placed a very thin strip of wood to angle the box to improve its performance
the toy itself consists of the sand toy equipment inside the box fronted by a printed sheet showing a soft green field disappearing into the background (possibly representing sugar cane) and in the lower corners, brighter green plants each with the image of a curly haired baby, one playing a violin and the other a banjo like instrument; their right arms are jointed
in the centre suspended on a very fine wire is the figure of a black woman, jointed at the waist and both lower legs; figure is 'wearing' a red and dark yellow cap, red bodice with yellow around shoulders, tan double flounce skirt and dark blue apron, a parasol is held near head; the figure's feet rest on the base covered with emerald green and black mottled paper
the rest of the glass is infilled with a scalloped ridge of green tissue paper at the top and a strip of gold passe partout and dark brown printed paper at the bottom
*at the back there are several layers of marbled paper indicating that the box has been opened several times; under the bottom has been placed a very thin strip of wood to angle the box to improve its performance
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Sand Toy (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | cardboard, paper, glass |
| Brief description | French, 1850-70 |
| Physical description | glass front cardboard box, covered on all side but the front with marbled papers and around the edge of the glass with gold paper stamped with floral and cable patterns (passe partout) the toy itself consists of the sand toy equipment inside the box fronted by a printed sheet showing a soft green field disappearing into the background (possibly representing sugar cane) and in the lower corners, brighter green plants each with the image of a curly haired baby, one playing a violin and the other a banjo like instrument; their right arms are jointed in the centre suspended on a very fine wire is the figure of a black woman, jointed at the waist and both lower legs; figure is 'wearing' a red and dark yellow cap, red bodice with yellow around shoulders, tan double flounce skirt and dark blue apron, a parasol is held near head; the figure's feet rest on the base covered with emerald green and black mottled paper the rest of the glass is infilled with a scalloped ridge of green tissue paper at the top and a strip of gold passe partout and dark brown printed paper at the bottom *at the back there are several layers of marbled paper indicating that the box has been opened several times; under the bottom has been placed a very thin strip of wood to angle the box to improve its performance |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Unique |
| Marks and inscriptions | 7A 1-3 (hand written, lower back
Kendall Identification) |
| Object history | These sand toys were bought from the Evelyn Way Kendall Collection sale, at Sothebys, London on December 16, 1999. Three of the items are mid 19th century and the fourth was constructed by Mrs. Kendall's husband Henry W, in 1940. The Kendall Collection was very large and housed in a purpose built display near Boston, Mass. Sadly the collection was not on view to the general public even though it was part of a large complex which included a whaling museum open to the public. Few people had the privilege of seeing the collection in situ, however, I (Caroline Goodfellow) did see it in 1994 and spent an afternoon there. Unfortunately Mrs. Kendall, along with others of her age and purchasing power, had changed many of the dolls from their original state, re dressed, cleaned and "repaired". Many of the costumes were swopped around the dolls and it is only possible to know this now through old photos and sale catalogues. The toys, including the sand toys, were usually left alone and suffered little in the manner of the dolls. There has been some repair work, however, as Henry Kendall enjoyed the mechanical toys it is likely he did the work. |
| Historical context | Sand toys are mechanical devices with a long history, operated by fine sand from a hopper trickling on to a paddle wheel. The principles of the mechanism was known in ancient Egypt. Sets of paper cut out figures with jointed limbs were attached to the wheel, and would be animated through the action of the sand. The origins of this type of toy are are French, but other countries (including the UK, Germany and, much later, the USA) copied the principles and much later. This method was eventually succeeded by more robust mechanisms. The subjects depicted on sand toys were often whimsical or commemorative. Nineteenth century examples are rare, as the toys were fragile and easily broken. They were also not made in great numbers. Sand toys are occasionally reproduced today using the same principles. |
| Associated objects | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.11-2000 |
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| Record created | March 31, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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