We don’t have an image of this object online yet. V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: B.1381-1999
Find out about our images

Not currently on display at the V&A

This object, or the text that describes it, is deemed offensive and discriminatory. We are committed to improving our records, and work is ongoing.


Soft Toy

1970-1978 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

figure of fur fabric and chennile

hexagonal label attached

burn tested down the back with a small amount on tummy but the front is good


Object details

Object type
Materials and techniques
fur fabric, chennile
Brief description
Golly, Chad Valley, English, 1970s
Physical description
figure of fur fabric and chennile

hexagonal label attached

burn tested down the back with a small amount on tummy but the front is good
Dimensions
  • Height: 33in
Production typemass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • Royal Warrant seal with // Made in England by Chad Valley Company Ltd (label; printed)
  • 1665 (test number, hand written on label)
Credit line
Given by the Palitoy Company
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.

Part of the Palitoy Archive

It was made before Chad Valley merged with Palitoy under General Mills UK in 1979.

Historical significance: Good example of the standard golly soft toy Chad Valley produced.
Production
Attribution note: numbered tested sample
Reason For Production: retail
Collection
Accession number
B.1381-1999

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdNovember 7, 2000
Record URL
Download as: JSON