Toy figure
W. Britain
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1917 - 1918
Materials
Metal, cardboard and paper
Measurements
Box - 365 mm (length); 256 mm (width); 44 mm (height), Camel Riders - 105 mm (height)
Place of origin
London
Collection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 664495
Summary
Seven toy figures depicting stereotypical representations of Arabs riding camels, made of cast metal and painted. All figures wear white headdresses and brown trousers. Two wear green coats; two wear red coats and two wear blue coats. They each carry a rifle in their right hand, their right shoulders are jointed. On the right hand side of their saddles they each have a yellow pouch or bag. They each sit on a spotted animal skin which hangs down on the left hand side of the camel. Each of camel is light brown with darker brown markings and they have red and orange bridles. Six of the figures (five of which are numbered T.451 and 1 of which is unlabelled) are contained in their original red cardboard box which is subdivided into two compartments. These compartments can be removed. On the lid of the box is a white and gold coloured printed label. 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 the British soldiers cast against different combatants, which were often stereotypical representations of nationalities or cultural groups.
Marks and inscriptions
Belly of camel: BRITAINS/ DEPOSE/ PROPRIETORS/ COPYRIGHT Label on lid: Ronald, for being first in I (ampersand) I, in 1917/ second in II in 1918. 1st in IIIB/ 1918
Makers and roles
W. Britain, maker