Untitled
Category
Toys
Date
Unknown
Materials
Plastic
Measurements
115 mm (length); 125 mm (width)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 662178
Summary
A plastic model of a stereotypical representations of a Native American man riding a horse, 20th century. The figure with hands aloft, holding a billowing whip in the right hand, and mounted on a galloping white horse. The figure with white and buckskin tunic, blue trousers, and seated on a yellow saddle; mounted on a grass-green base. 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.
Provenance
Donated to the Museum of Childhood by Mrs Moira Hammond in 2004.