Plaything Collection

Two dolls dressed in Spanish costume, Spain, Europe

Water puppets, Hanoi, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Toys for everyone - illustration from la Vie Parisienne, 1918 (litho)
3033165 Toys for everyone - illustration from la Vie Parisienne, 1918 (litho) by Couderc, Fernand (fl.1920s); Private Collection; (add.info.: Des Joujoux pour tout le Monde); Prismatic Pictures

Meiji era Japan: Girls Festival, doll display
Vintage 19th century photograph - Meiji era Japan: Girls Festival, March. Hinamatsuri, also called Dolls Day or Girls Day, is a special day in Japan

Political Amusements for Young Gentlemen, or The Old Brentford Shuttlecock
NCO190435 Political Amusements for Young Gentlemen, or The Old Brentford Shuttlecock, between Old Sarum & the Temple of St

Sketches at the Cat Show, Crystal Palace (engraving)
1591466 Sketches at the Cat Show, Crystal Palace (engraving) by Wain, Louis (1860-1939); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches at the Cat Show, Crystal Palace)

Gulliver in Brobdingnag
LLM458553 Gulliver in Brobdingnag by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Gulliver in Brobdingnag)

Recent Antiquarian Discoveries in Egypt, Mr Flinders Petries Exhibition at Oxford Mansion, Oxford-Street (engraving)
1596144 Recent Antiquarian Discoveries in Egypt, Mr Flinders Petries Exhibition at Oxford Mansion, Oxford-Street (engraving) by Hardy

The late Sultan of Morocco, a Plaything of Muley-el-Hassan (litho)
1604870 The late Sultan of Morocco, a Plaything of Muley-el-Hassan (litho) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The late Sultan of Morocco)

Top Spinning on Finger Date: 1950

New Bicycle on Christmas Morn Date: 1947

Erector Set Date: 1915

Children???s Toys

Engraving depicting a toy known as automatic puppets, 19th century
Engraving depicting a toy known as automatic puppets

Engraving depicting a toy gyroscope (or Magic Top). A gyroscope is a device consisting of a wheel or disc mounted so that it can spin rapidly about an axis which is itself free to alter in direction

A happy youth with his ingenious homemade wire lorry. A happy youth with his ingenious homemade wire lorry

Suffragette Speaker Kept Women. A suffragette speaker at a meeting, waves her umbrella and rants about womens position in society

Boy With Puzzle
A young curly harried boy holding an early 16th century puzzle and smiling with obvious glee. Date: circa 1515

Fortune Using Man Plaything Six Sayings Fortune
Artokoloro

The Hobby-Horse (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF277663 The Hobby-Horse (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School; Private Collection; English, out of copyright

A black and white puppy asleep with a teddy bear

Two wooden toy crocodiles

Italy, Tuscany, Collodi. Pinocchio puppets in shop window

Young boy taking his first steps
MODEL RELEASED. First steps. One-year-old boy holding onto a trolley as he takes his first steps

Christmas tree and decorations at Shin Kong Place department store, Central Business District business district, Beijing, China, Asia

Colourful dolls for sale in Guanajuato, Guanajuato State, Mexico, North America

Colourful wooden animals for sale in Guanajuato, Guanajuato State, Mexico, North America

Decorative wooden fruit, Guanajuato, Guanajuato State, Mexico, North America

Aleksander Nevski church market, Sofia, Bulgaria, Europe

Babushka dolls, Riga, Latvia, Baltic States, Europe

Decorative childs toy parrot in traditional wall niche, restored traditional Pol house, Ahmedabad, Gujarat state, India, Asia

Girl and Kittens C1875
A girls knitting is not made any easier by the playfulness of four kittens who find her ball of wool an entertaining plaything

For sale as Licensed Images

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"Plaything: A Journey Through Time and Cultures" Step into a world of imagination and wonder as we explore the fascinating history of playthings. From two dolls dressed in Spanish costume to water puppets, toys have always been a source of joy for people across the globe. Travel back to 1918 with an enchanting illustration from La Vie Parisienne, showcasing toys for everyone. Witness the Meiji era Japan's Girls Festival, where doll displays were a cherished tradition. Discover how even politics found its way into children's games with "Political Amusements for Young Gentlemen, " or join the excitement at Crystal Palace's Cat Show through an intriguing engraving. Embark on Gulliver's adventure in Brobdingnag, where he became a mere plaything in their colossal world. Marvel at Mr Flinders Petries' exhibition in Oxford Mansion, featuring recent antiquarian discoveries from Egypt. Witness the captivating litho depicting the late Sultan of Morocco as a plaything of Muley-el-Hassan. Experience timeless delights like top spinning on finger or receiving a new bicycle on Christmas morning during 1950s and 1947 respectively. Finally, step into 1915 when Erector Sets revolutionized building toys, sparking creativity and innovation among young minds. Join us on this captivating journey through time and cultures as we celebrate the magic that playthings bring to our lives.