Toy Fish
1975-1979 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
When wound up this tin plate goldfish moves on two centre wheels connected to the clockwork mechanism. There is a third wheel also connected to the mechanism which extends to form the pin for the tail fin. As the toy moves, the side fins open and close and the tail fin, governed by the wheel, moves from one side to the other. This is actually an erratic movement and not just a swaying one. The whole fish moves one way, pauses then moves the other way. The breeding of goldfish in China has a long history and breeders have always attempted to create very large eyes as in this toy example.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Lithographed tinplate and plastic, with a clockwork mechanism; tongue and slot joins |
| Brief description | Tinplate clockwork gold fish made in China in the late 1970s |
| Physical description | The goldfish is lithographed tinplate and the mechanism is housed in the body with the key protruding from the right side. It is red, gold and white with black markings. The eyes are very large bulbous clear red plastic and the nose/mouth is orange plastic. Attached to each side is a printed paper fin. The tail fin is made of clear plastic decirated with red. It is attached to a metal pin which is connected to the mechanism.The underside is white plastic. When wound up the goldfish moves on two wheels set under the centre area and connected to the mechanism; there is a third wheel also connected to the mechanism which extends to form the pin for the tail fin. As the toy moves, the side fins open and close and the tail fin, governed by the wheel, moves from one side to the other. This is actually an erratic movement and not just a swaying one. The whole fish moves one way, pauses then moves with other way. 1. fish 2. tail fin, *firmly place this on the pin. *The breeding of goldfish in China has a long history and the breeders have always attempted to create very large eyes. This ideal is reflected in early fish representations on other wares such as the jars |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions | MADE IN CHINA FABRIQUE EN CHINE with Chinese characters |
| 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 | When wound up this tin plate goldfish moves on two centre wheels connected to the clockwork mechanism. There is a third wheel also connected to the mechanism which extends to form the pin for the tail fin. As the toy moves, the side fins open and close and the tail fin, governed by the wheel, moves from one side to the other. This is actually an erratic movement and not just a swaying one. The whole fish moves one way, pauses then moves the other way. The breeding of goldfish in China has a long history and breeders have always attempted to create very large eyes as in this toy example. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.142:1, 2-1996 |
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| Record created | April 18, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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