Automatic Washer

Mechanical Toy
1975-1979 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Mechanical toy representing a top loading washing machine. The body is white tinplate with the lid hinged at the top back. The name is attached at the front and there is also a red plastic switch and dial marked 'OFF' and 'ON'. The lid has at the back a red metal disc and a blue, white and red square panel; these represent the temperature and control panels. The centre of the lid has a sheet of clear green plastic. When the lid is lifted, there is the washing area of blue metal with a wringer of red plastic; on the left side is a small white hole which leads to a green rubber pipe outside. This pipe is held in an upright position by a metal loop. Water can be placed in the washer and agitated by the wringer. When done with, the water will drain away via the hole and pipe. The underside is black metal and the whole stands on four red rubber feet. The hole for the clockwork key is on the right side and the switch on the front operates the on/off mechanism.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleAutomatic Washer (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Lithographed tinplated mild steel, plastic, with a clockwork mechanism
Brief description
Tinplate mechanical toy washing machine made in China in the late 1970s
Physical description
Mechanical toy representing a top loading washing machine. The body is white tinplate with the lid hinged at the top back. The name is attached at the front and there is also a red plastic switch and dial marked 'OFF' and 'ON'. The lid has at the back a red metal disc and a blue, white and red square panel; these represent the temperature and control panels. The centre of the lid has a sheet of clear green plastic. When the lid is lifted, there is the washing area of blue metal with a wringer of red plastic; on the left side is a small white hole which leads to a green rubber pipe outside. This pipe is held in an upright position by a metal loop. Water can be placed in the washer and agitated by the wringer. When done with, the water will drain away via the hole and pipe. The underside is black metal and the whole stands on four red rubber feet. The hole for the clockwork key is on the right side and the switch on the front operates the on/off mechanism.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12.7cm
  • Width: 8.9cm
  • Depth: 7.6cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
'AUTOMATIC WASHER' (Printed on the front of the machine)
Gallery label
(01/07/2023)
All work and all play

Playing with a cooker and washing machine might seem like we’ve been tricked into doing chores, but it can feel good to take charge of our spaces.

It’s not all about responsibility though – sometimes it’s just fun to pretend to be a grown-up.

[Young V&A, Imagine Gallery, Small Worlds, group object label]
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
Subject depicted
Collection
Accession number
B.187-1996

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Record createdApril 18, 2000
Record URL
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