Clockwork toy
Schuco
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1935
Materials
Tinplate and felt, wood
Measurements
200 mm (length); 150 mm (height); 110 mm (depth)
Place of origin
Germany
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 660240
Caption
A musical toy featuring a band of pigs playing musical instruments. Made by the German company, Schuco.
Summary
Three clockwork pig musicians standing upon a brown polished wooden base (circa 1935). The pigs are covered in felt and have moulded features with open mouths to show their tongues. Each pig is wearing a hat. The two on each end are wearing sailor suits, the one in the centre dungarees with a pink ribbon tie. All the pigs are playing musical instruments, the one on the left a metal blue painted flute, the middle pig a metal drum and the pig on the right has a metal violin and bow. The pigs have moving arms with a clockwork mechanism at the back. The pig in the centre has a clockwork key incribed with 'Schuco' on both sides. On their feet are inscribed 'SCHUCO PATENT' and 'MADE IN GERMANY'. Behind the pigs on the base is a hole, presumably where the boy musician labelled DERSS : 21594/1 stood. The underside of the base is trimmed with green felt.
Marks and inscriptions
Left foot of each pig: SCHUCO PATENT Right foot of each pig: MADE IN GERMANY
Makers and roles
Schuco , maker