Lead figure
Category
Toys
Date
Unknown
Materials
Lead
Measurements
7.0 cm (Height)
Order this imageCollection
Springhill, County Londonderry
NT 216626
Summary
Variety of toy lead figures including soldiers and stereotypical representations of Native Americans. Toy soldiers have been popular since at least the 18th century. Toys were produced which replicated famous conflicts, including those known as the ‘Indian Wars’ in the western United States (1811-1924). These conflicts had been fictionalised and brought to British audiences via Wild West stage shows and later Western films. Caricatures in these entertainments informed the game of 'Cowboys and Indians' which became popular in the United States and United Kingdom. The representation of Native Americans in these toys does not reflect the diversity of Indigenous nations, and perpetuates a stereotype of Indigenous peoples as aggressive antagonists.