Traditional stylised figure of a herdsman carved from a tree branch in Estonia in 1998

forked stick of light wood with bark; both the top end and the bottom ends have been whittled to form points

The figure (with its two pointed legs) is pressed into the ground so it will stand. It represents the farmer or herdman.
also around the top the wood has been scored to indicate hair and two eyes and mouth; between the mouth and eyes remains a small section of branch for the nose

Given by the Tartu Toy Museum, Estonia

Given by the curator of the Tartu Toy Museum, Tiia Toomet, as an example of traditional toys of Estonian peasant children. The gift was accompanied by books by the same person.

Historical significance: CATTLE OF WOODEN PEGS
Wooden animals were the oldest and most popular traditional toys of Estonian peasant children. To pasture cows and sheep was children's job in old Estonian villages. While looking fter real cattle the children made a toy herd for themselves to play with. They cut animals of branches of trees. The system was simple and similar all over Estonia. Only the most important features of the animal were marked. All aminals have four legs, therefore the legs were not important. But cows and oxen had horns - so the horns were cut to the stick. Pigs were round and had snouts. Horses were distinguished from the other animals by their upright necks. Horse as the most important animals were sometimes made bigger and they got legs and even tails and manes.

(Details given by the donor)

This set of toys were made by Estonian children for themselves to play with.

donated September 9, 1998

B.303-1998