Clockwork toy
Simon and Halbig (fl.1839-1943)
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1880
Materials
Bisque headed doll with cork and wood body
Measurements
415 mm (length)
Place of origin
Germany
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 660241
Summary
A bisque-headed doll with inset brown glass eyes, open mouth with teeth and a blonde mohair wig (circa 1880). Cork and wood rectangular shaped body, jointed wooden legs and feet, jointed wooden arms, metal hands. Wearing a faded blue-green fabric bathing suit trimmed with lace on the bodice, neck and cuffs. The bottom half of the bathing suit is made of a cream chiffon trimmed with lace. The bathing suit is very worn and fragile. A metal key protruding from her stomach, presumably activates the clockwork mechanism which enables the doll's arms and legs to imitate a swimming action. The doll's posture is horizontal.
Marks and inscriptions
Back of head: 10.9/ HALBIG/ S and H/ Germany/ 2
Makers and roles
Simon and Halbig (fl.1839-1943), maker