Sheep
January 1998 - August 1998
Place of origin |
light wood tree branch with the remains of the bark
whittled at one end into two V shapes to represent the ears and nose
underside is flattened so the piece will remain upright
whittled at one end into two V shapes to represent the ears and nose
underside is flattened so the piece will remain upright
Object details
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | light wood and bark, whittled |
Brief description | Traditional stylised figure of a sheep carved from a tree branch in Estonia in 1998 |
Physical description | light wood tree branch with the remains of the bark whittled at one end into two V shapes to represent the ears and nose underside is flattened so the piece will remain upright |
Dimensions |
|
Credit line | Given by the Tartu Toy Museum, Estonia |
Object history | 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) |
Historical context | This set of toys were made by Estonian children for themselves to play with. |
Production | donated September 9, 1998 |
Associated objects | |
Collection | |
Accession number | B.316-1998 |
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 Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis.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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | November 16, 1998 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON