Mechanical Sparrow
1975-1979 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This tin plate sparrow has an internal clockwork mechanism. The tail is loosely joined to the body. When wound up the bird moves on its feet and vibrates causing the tail to move as well. The toy is poorly balanced and the bird falls over very easily when in motion. The wind-up mechanism is simple and of a type commonly used in Europe before the Second World War (1939-1945), particularly in Germany. This toy was made in China for the local market rather than for export.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Lithographed tinplate with clockwork mechanism |
| Brief description | Lithographed tinplate clockwork sparrow made in China in the 1970s |
| Physical description | The bird is lithographed tinplate and the mechanism is housed in the body with the key protruding from the right side. It is red with black, pink, grey, yellow, brown, cream and white markings. The tail is loosely joined to the body and it stands on two brown metal feet. When wound up the bird moves on two feet and vibrates which allows the tail to move also. It is a simple wind-up similar to those used by Schuco pre-1940. It does fall over easily. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions | MADE IN CHINA, with some Chinese characters above |
| Credit line | Given by Clio Whittaker |
| Object history | References: This collection of toys was acquired by the donor while attending Peking University in 1978 and 1979. The majority of the toys were made in China for its own market. See additional notes, B. 106-1996 |
| Summary | This tin plate sparrow has an internal clockwork mechanism. The tail is loosely joined to the body. When wound up the bird moves on its feet and vibrates causing the tail to move as well. The toy is poorly balanced and the bird falls over very easily when in motion. The wind-up mechanism is simple and of a type commonly used in Europe before the Second World War (1939-1945), particularly in Germany. This toy was made in China for the local market rather than for export. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.134-1996 |
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| Record created | April 18, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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