Horsedrawn vehicle
Britains Ltd.
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1940 - circa 1950
Materials
Lead
Measurements
Whole object - 155 mm (length); 59 mm (height)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 657429
Summary
An early 20th century 'Britains Ltd.' painted lead figure of a carter and a horse with a two wheeled tumbrel. The carter, with a moveable arm holding a whip, is wearing a cream smock, pale yellow hat and red neckerchief. The brown horse with white socks has a red-brown harness, black head-collar and black pad on its back. The horse is attached to the shafts of the tumbrel by a wire which threads through holes in the shafts and through the middle of the horse. The yellow tumbrel has red trim on front and two red wheels. A handle at the front of the tumbrel moves to allow the tumbrel to tip backwards. A separate flap is attached o the back of the tumbrel. A separate hay-support with four cross bars slots on the front of the tumbrel and a second separate hay-support rests on the back of the tumbrel. The company was founded in 1893 by William Britain Jr and has been branded under numerous names such as as 'W. Britain', 'Britains Ltd' and 'Britains'. But most commonly referred to as 'Britains' by collectors and enthusiasts. The company is still in production today. Total number of items is 6.
Marks and inscriptions
On the base of the carter: '[BRITAINS] (hidden by label)' On the horse's stomach: '[PROPRIETORS/ BRITAINS LTD/ COPYRIGHT'
Makers and roles
Britains Ltd., manufacturer W. Britain , manufacturer