Rocking horse
probably G. & J. Lines Ltd
Category
Toys
Date
c. 1910
Materials
Wood, gesso, paint, leather, glass, horsehair, metal
Measurements
1460 mm (length); 492 mm (width); 1260 mm (height)
Place of origin
London
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 dappled rocking horse on a safety stand, the horse carved, gessoed and painted wood, with glass eyes and horsehair mane and tail, with a detachable leather saddle, stirrups, bridle and collar, probably by G. & J. Lines, London, c. 1910, likely subsequently repainted and the supports of the stand replaced, the saddle, bridle and collar replaced by a saddler in about 1994.
Provenance
Previously at the Yate Dental Clinic, 21 West Walk, Yate, Avon, where it was used in the waiting room to keep children occupied, and was known as 'Theodore'; donated to the Museum of Childhood, Sudbury Hall, 1985.
Makers and roles
probably G. & J. Lines Ltd , manufacturer