Rocking horse
probably G. & J. Lines Ltd
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1880 - circa 1914
Materials
Wood, gesso, leather and horse hair.
Measurements
1405 mm (length); 470 mm (width); 1170 mm (height)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 662331
Caption
The original 'Lines' company was trading in the period circa 1880 to 1930 variously as G&J Lines or J&G Lines, the initials referring to the two brothers, George and Joseph Lines. They operated a number of small factories in North London, making a wide range of toys. Lines Bros, despite the original founders being brothers, relates to George's three sons who after the first world war broke away from the parent company to trade as Lines Bros. Lines Bros rationalised the business and flourished on the growing mass market for toys. In 1927 (till 1971) they became 'Lines Bros Triang' and for a while became the world's largest toy company. Their wooden rocking horses however did not survive in production after World War 2, although Triang did make cheaper metal and plastic rocking horses for the post war mass market.
Summary
A 'Caledonian', 'extra carved' wooden rocking horse on a 'swing-stand'. It is covered in gesso and painted dapple grey, probably made by 'G & J Lines', England (circa 1880 to circa 1914). The manufacturer used a metal bracket with their initials stamped into it. This bracket would be placed on the stand, although to see the stamp the bracket would have to be removed. The horse has a a leather harness decorated with brass bosses and a leather saddle fixed with brass studs. The saddle is possibly a later addition, as there are two holes underneath the saddle which indicate that the horse originally had a sidesaddle pommel. It is also possible that the horse has been 'over painted' at a later date. The horse has a cream horse hair tail and mane, brown and black glass eyes and a metal bit in its mouth. The nostrils, inner ears and tongue are painted red, and the hooves are painted black. The rocking horse is mounted on a varnished wooden stand with turned legs and horizontal bars which are linked by metal rods so that the horse rocks back and forth on the stand. There is also an intermediate wooden bar running from front to rear to strengthen the stand. It has been much repaired. In a horse of this type there are usually letters on the underside of the metal bracket.
Marks and inscriptions
Front of the harness, in a metal shield with a floral motif : 'CALEDONIAN'
Makers and roles
probably G. & J. Lines Ltd , manufacturer Triang , manufacturer