Pig and Rider thumbnail 1
Pig and Rider thumbnail 2
On display

Pig and Rider

ca. 1890 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Germany (manufactured)
France (manufactured)

This clockwork pig and rider are interesting examples of the type of toy which was very popular in the late Victorian era. Toys like these were made in large numbers, usually in Germany for export to Europe and America. Being small they were easy to despatch and attracted smaller import and export duties than did the larger toys.

Object details

Categories
Children & Childhood
Dolls & Toys
Animals and Wildlife
Mechanical Toys
Object type
Pig and rider
Materials and techniques
Painted composition, metals, wood, bisque, glass, cotton
Composition
Metal
Bisque
Glass
Cotton
Moulding
Painting
Brief description
Clockwork pig with rider probably made in Germany about 1890
Physical description
The pig is made of composition and is painted yellow ochre. It is realistically moulded with wrinkles round his neck and snout. The male rider has a bisque head with fixed glass eyes and a wood and composition body. He has some hair on his head and a moulded beard and moustache. He is wearing black trousers, a striped cotton shirt and yellow cord bow-tie, a floral cotton waistcoat and a greenish blue woollen coat with tails and metal buttons which are stapled on. The pig is activated by winding a key set in his stomach making it jump forward, rear and buck.
Dimensions
  • Height: 210mm (Note: Pig standing)
  • Width: 85mm (Note: Standing pig)
  • Depth: 210mm (Note: Standing pig)
  • Height: 185mm (Note: Seated pig)
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
(01/07/2023)
Trot, trot, trot...

This funny pair was made in Germany. The two have come a long way, and probably quite slowly.

If the man budges up, there should be room for you too.

Mechanical toy of a man riding a pig
Unknown manufacturer
About 1890
Germany or France
Given by Mrs Craig
Museum no. MISC.28-1967

[Young V&A, Imagine Gallery, Adventure, short object label]
Credit line
Given by Mrs Craig
Subjects depicted
Pigs
Riders
Summary
This clockwork pig and rider are interesting examples of the type of toy which was very popular in the late Victorian era. Toys like these were made in large numbers, usually in Germany for export to Europe and America. Being small they were easy to despatch and attracted smaller import and export duties than did the larger toys.
Collection
Young V&A Collection
Accession number
MISC.28-1967

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 createdDecember 24, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O88278/pig-and-rider-unknown/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest