Amber - lit from below
A large piece of fossilised pine resin, 60 million years old. Although it appears to be as hard as stone, amber can be heated and shaped. This has made it very popular for use in jewellery making from ...
Bass Recorder, late 17th/early 18th century
This is a bass recorder - a large instrument made of maple, and stained dark brown. The crook, 'fish-tail' key, and mount are of brass. It was probably made by Thomas Stanesby (senior).
late 17th/early ...
Board Game - 'Wheeling'
This board game dates from the end of the 19th century, when cycling was very popular both with men and women.
It is called 'Wheeling - a new and exciting game for cyclists.' The small box, containing ...
Car and Fire Engine
Tinplate car and fire engine.
Celluloid Doll
This celluloid doll was made in Japan in the 1930's.
Celluloid is an early plastic made from pyroxylin (cellulose nitrates) and camphor. From the early 20th century, it became popular for doll making. ...
Construction Set
Early construction toys came from Germany, where there was a tradition of producing wooden toys.
During the 19th century, sophisticated sets containing a wide variety of pieces became popular.
This ...
Construction Set
'Bayko' building sets were made by the Plimpton Engineering Company of Liverpool, and were very popular in the 1950's.
The name 'Bayko' came from the word 'bakelite' - the name of the hard plastic ...
Construction Set
This construction set, made of coloured interlocking plastic pieces, was made by 'Lego'.
The company's founder, Ole Christiansen, was born in Denmark in 1891. He made wooden toys, which he called 'Lego' ...
Cup and Ball; Top
Before the widespread use of plastics in the 20th century, toys were made of natural materials.
This cup and ball, together with a small spinning top, are made of ivory.
Diabolo and Tip-Cat
Both diabolo and tip-cat were toys that children played at home, or in the street or playground. They were very cheap to buy, or could be home-made. Both involve using string to keep the reel spinning.
The ...
Dissected Puzzle
This form of puzzle, now known as a jigsaw, was originally called a dissected puzzle.
The printed picture was applied to a thin sheet of wood, which was then dissected, or cut up, into pieces. It was ...
Double Dead-Fall Mouse Trap
One of the many and varied designs of mouse trap. This 'drop weight' mousetrap is made from elm. The two wooden blocks would be balanced above some bait. When the mice eat the bait, the blocks fall down ...
Egyptian painted wood panel, upper section
This panel, from the tomb of Djed-Khonsu-lues-Ankh, is around 2,500 years old.
Together with the bottom section of the panel, it is a prayer asking for a supply of beer, bread and oxen for use in the ...
Japanese Dolls
Not all dolls were made to play with. These Japanese Festival Dolls (hina-ningyo) represent Samurai warriors. They were brought out on 'Tango-no-skku' (Boys' Festival) and displayed in the home.
Festival ...
Jet Jewellery
Jet is a form of coal, which was formed from the compressed and chemically altered remains of plants that lived 170 million years ago.
The north eastern town of Whitby, Yorkshire, became the centre, ...
Marbles
This bag contains glass and pottery marbles from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Miniature Toy Shop
This miniature toy shop is made of painted wood, with painted wood and plaster 'toys'. They include hoops, skittles, and a church.
The words 'For Obedient Children' is written at the top.
This toy ...
Miniature Wooden Cabinet and 'China'
Miniature wooden cabinet with glass fronted doors, and sides, containing a tiny wooden dinner service.
Mid 19th century
288mm x 343mm x 117mm deep