Rocking horse
probably G. & J. Lines Ltd
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1910
Materials
Wood, leather and metal
Measurements
1460 mm (length); 492 mm (width); 1260 mm (height)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 665373
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 'swing-stand' type, 'G & J Lines', England (probably), wooden rocking horse (circa 1910) known as 'Theodore'. The rocking horse belonged to the Yate Dental Clinic, 21 West Walk, Yate, Avon, where it was used by children in the waiting room. A Miss Nelson's name appears on the Entry Form. She was the dental nurse who restored the horse 10-12 years prior to its removal to Sudbury (circa 1974). The horse was donated by the practice in 1985. A makers mark might be found on the underside of the metal bracket that is fixed to the stand. It is possible that the horse has a basecoat of egg shell blue and has been repainted at some stage. The wooden pillars on the stand also appear to be a replacement as these would most likely to have been turned wood. The bridle, saddle and stirrups are modern replacements, made by a saddler in circa 1994. The horse moves forward and back on a wood and metal frame called a 'swing stand'. It is painted dapple grey with black hooves and black patches on all four legs. It has brown glass eyes and a grey, real horse hair, mane and tail. A shaped semi-circular wooden ridge on horse's back probably originally formed back of the seat or saddle. There are two metal staples on either side of body and a small daisy shaped nail on the left flank. Nail holes on body probably show the position of the original saddle/seat. The horse wears a brown leather detachable saddle with silver coloured metal stirrups, a brown leather detachable bridle and a brown leather collar (martingale). The bridle, saddle and stirrups are modern replacements, made by a saddler in circa 1994. The horse's feet are attached to two horizontal bars, painted black and turquoise. These are fastened to an upright wooden stand, also painted turquoise, by two inverted U shaped pieces of metal, painted black. The metal pieces are bolted to the horizontal bars and are held to the upright stand by shield-shaped metal plates. Total number of items is 3.
Makers and roles
probably G. & J. Lines Ltd , manufacturer Triang , manufacturer