Toy
Wm. Britain
Category
Toys
Date
Unknown
Materials
Metal
Measurements
25 mm (width); 75 mm (height); 100 mm (length)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 664499
Summary
Set of toy figures depicted stereotypical representations of Native Americans. The box contains eight figures on horses. Two brown horses are free standing and have Native American figures on their backs with right arms jointed at the shoulder; one carries a tomahawk and the other a stick. There are six horses on stands, one brown, two white and three black. All of them have a mounted Native American figure with a jointed right arm. This arm carries a rifle or a tomahawk. One arm is missing and one weapon is missing. Total number of items is 10. In original box which is covered with dark red paper. On the lid is a pale blue label with a line drawing of Native Americans on horseback. 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, 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.
Marks and inscriptions
On the bellies of the horses is: 'COPYRIGHT/ WM.BRITAIN' On original box: 'NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS MOUNTED' In the top left hand corner is printed 'MANUFACTURED BY W.BRITAIN ENGLAND IN LONDON', and in the lower right hand corner 'No.152'.
Makers and roles
Wm. Britain , maker