Skittle
Category
Toys
Date
c. 1900
Materials
Wood, textile, metal and glass
Measurements
21.5 cm (Height)
Order this imageCollection
Dunham Massey, Cheshire
NT 937035
Caption
This playful set of Edwardian skittles is modelled on performing circus animals. Eight of the bear skittles, with thick brown fur, represent the common grizzly. The ninth skittle represents its closest relative, the polar bear, and is dressed in a red felt jacket and – appropriately for the ‘kingpin’ – a crown. These skittles were used to play the medieval game of ninepin, with eight skittles placed in a diamond shape and the red skittle positioned in the centre. Attempts to bowl them over sent the bears joyfully dancing and spinning around the floor. The rings through the bears’ noses may allude to the performing bears once popular in American circus acts. This game was among childhood possessions belonging to the 10th Earl of Stamford, Roger Grey (1896–1976), and his sister, Lady Jane (1899– 1991), who moved to Dunham Massey in 1910. The skittle design is very similar to that of the famous stuffed toys created by Margarete Steiff (1847–1909), who launched the popular Steiff toy brand with a felt elephant in 1880, followed by a menagerie of monkeys, donkeys, mice, dogs, cats, rabbits, giraffes and other cuddly creations.
Summary
Nine skittles consisting of eight stuffed artificial brown fur bears, each with their nose chained to a wooden pole that they also clutch in their paws, and a stuffed artificial white fur bear wearing a red and yellow felt jacket and matching crown and also clutching a pole; each bear stands on a shaped circular wooden base with black border.
Provenance
Stamford collection; devised to the National Trust by Roger Grey, 10th Earl of Stamford (1896-1976).