Traditional Toys, Games, Mechanical Toys & Automata

Games and Puzzles: Early 19^th century games and puzzles were educational toys. Wooden jig-saw cut puzzles of maps of England, Europe and the World showing the historical landscape where very popular, others depicting Kings and Queens or Historical events are (when complete) very popular with today’s collector. The same goes for early board games, often hand painted colours and printed on paper mounted on linen, these colourful games are as decorative as they are educational.

Traditional Toys: A typical Nursery toy of note is the German-made wooden Noah’s Ark toy which come with an array of finely carved animals of every type imaginable. Sets can include the smallest fly or ladybird to the largest elephant or giraffe and everything in between - these toys often sell for four figure sums. Rocking horses from the 19^th and early 20^th centuries are another strong seller at auction, the most popular makes being J & G Lines and Ayres. Other traditional toys often offered for sale include Toy Theatres, Sand Toy pictures, German wooden toys and figures (especially those made in the Erzgebirge region of Germany). 

Mechanical Toys and Automata: Automata and Mechanical toys have enchanted adults and children alike for the past two centuries. 1848 to 1914 is noted as a Golden Age for these fine and rare pieces, many being French-made in Paris by such makers as Vichy, Roullet & Decamps, Theroude, Bontems, Phaliboise, Lambert and Renou. These moving works of art can depict a large variety of subject; everything from singing birds in trees, people in everyday life, clowns, children and performing monkeys, to walking and performing animals of all types.

If you've any toys you believe to fit this category or any other, why not get in touch with our specialist for a free valuation?