Mechanical tinplate donkey probably made in England in the 1930s or 1940s

The donkey is of lithographed tinplate; representing a dappled grey with yellow and orange bridle and saddle. It is in a baulking stance with the legs firmly at an angle and attached to the base. The whole is cast in two halves along the length and held by tongue and slot joints. The ears are placed in slots in the head and move back and forth. The whole is mounted on a mottled green and brown metal base and 4 large plain chromed wheels. Under the front of the base is a friction drive mechanism and at the front of the base itself is a small hole so the toy may be pulled along. Although lithographed it has been painted with a varnish which has yellowed and there are drip marks on the sides. The neck and legs have bend marks which may not be original; it is not possible to tell or move the marks without damaging the surface.

This lithographed tin plate donkey was part of the Barry Joseph collection of mechanical horses acquired by the museum in 1994. It is a dappled grey with a yellow and orange bridle and saddle. The friction drive mechanism is under the base, which also has a small hole for a piece of string, so that the toy may be pulled along. When the donkey is in motion, the ears move backwards and forwards, which is an unusual feature. The surface of the toy is badly painted with varnish and shows drip marks.

B.133-1994