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Golly

Figure
1980-1990 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

1. Box lid, clear plastic with white label at one side.
2. Box base, card covered with blue paper; stamped on one side with the maker's name, in silver'
3. Information card, buff with black printed lettering.
4. 'Golly' figure, die cast metal, solid, jointed on twisted wire at the shoulders and hips; it is painted with a black head, white around the eyes, red mouth, red jacket trimmed with yellow, white tie and gloves, blue trousers and black feet.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Packaging
  • Packaging
  • Card
  • Figure
TitleGolly (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
die cast pewter, painted by hand
Brief description
Figure with packaging, painted pewter 'golly', Hantel, Warwick, 1980s
Physical description
1. Box lid, clear plastic with white label at one side.
2. Box base, card covered with blue paper; stamped on one side with the maker's name, in silver'
3. Information card, buff with black printed lettering.
4. 'Golly' figure, die cast metal, solid, jointed on twisted wire at the shoulders and hips; it is painted with a black head, white around the eyes, red mouth, red jacket trimmed with yellow, white tie and gloves, blue trousers and black feet.
Dimensions
  • Box height: 35mm
  • Box width: 70mm
  • Box depth: 44mm
  • Figure height: 34mm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • hantel, Warwick, England - printed on box in silver
  • 'GOLLY' (White label on box, marked in ink)
  • "VICTORIAN MINIATURES A Twelth scale miniature on the Victorian theme. Exclusively designed by Frances Moore of Hantel Ltd. Warwick England." (Printed on information card.)
Credit line
Given by Joan Ethel Thompson
Object history
The original golliwog was a central character in a series of books by Bertha and Florence Upton published between 1895 and 1909. Florence, the illustrator of the stories, based the golliwog on a doll she had acquired in the US in the 1880s. The appearance of this doll was influenced by the Blackface performance tradition. From the late 19th century until the 1960s, the golliwog flourished as a toy. Its image featured on toys, games, textiles and ceramics and was also used by food companies. From the 1970s the golliwog’s popularity began to wane as many British people felt that it promoted racial stereotypes.
Collection
Accession number
B.531:1 to 4-1997

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Record createdApril 18, 2000
Record URL
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