Automaton
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1880
Materials
Plastic, cotton and lace.
Measurements
190 mm (width); 205 mm (height)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 660704
Summary
A hand operated automaton of two dolls lying in bed, dating from circa 1880. Consisting of two identical plastic shoulder-head dolls with painted facial features and moulded hair. They lie beside one another in a cream cotton all-in-one coverlet and mattress trimmed with lace. Both dolls wear cream cotton night caps trimmed with beige tape. The shoulders of each doll are nailed to their respective wooden necks and bodies. In the middle of the coverlet is a rectangle of cream ribbon. If you push down on the centre of this rectangle the dolls turn their heads towards one another and, as you release it, their heads turn away. Both the front of the coverlet and the bottom of the mattress show signs of foxing.