Toy figure
probably W.Britain Ltd
Category
Toys
Date
Unknown
Materials
Metal
Measurements
30 mm (width); 95 mm (height); 90 mm (length)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 664204
Summary
Six metal model figures of Egyptian soldiers mounted on camels (probably from Britain’s Camel Corps of the Egyptian Army set). The soldier figures are painted. They wear a red fez, cream jacket with red trimming, black breeches and boots. They are carrying rifles. They are sitting on orange saddles on black blanket. The camels are brown with orange harnesses and there is a water bottle on the left of each. The barrels of several rifles are missing. Paint is chipped in places on the soldiers and the camels. Total number of items is 6. Toy soldiers have been popular since at least the 18th century. In 1893 William Britain, a British toy manufacturer, invented a method of hollow casting that made the brand a market leader. Britain produced toys which replicated famous conflicts, with British and Empire soldiers cast against different combatants; at the time these figures were produced, Egypt was part of the British Empire. These toys often reflect stereotypical representations of nationalities or cultural groups.
Makers and roles
probably W.Britain Ltd, maker