Toy figure
W. Britain
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1917 - circa 1918
Materials
Metal and cardboard
Measurements
Box – 368 mm (length); 255 mm (width); 53 mm (height), Camel Rider - 105 mm (height)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 664496
Summary
Five toy figures depicting stereotypical representations of Arabs riding camels, made of cast metal and painted. All the figures wear white headdresses and brown trousers. One wears a green coat; one a red coat and the third a blue coat. 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 the camels is light brown with darker brown markings and they have red and orange bridles. Three of the camel riders (all numbered T.452) 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 red 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. This dynamic is reflected in the title of this set on the original box ‘Types of the Enemy – Arabs of the Desert’.
Marks and inscriptions
Box: TYPES OF THE ENEMY / copyright models / ARABS OF THE DESERT / No. 193 Manufactured by W. Britain in London, England Belly of camel: BRITAINS/ DEPOSE/ PROPRIETORS/ COPYRIGHT
Makers and roles
W. Britain, maker