Old Toys (Denmark), probably 1930’s

Normally I look for ceramics on markets, but once in a while I come across other charming old things, such as these old toys. In 1905 a law was passed in Denmark according to which prisoners were obliged to work. At the time there were very few toys makers in Denmark (only about 25 people worked in toy factories and most toys were imported from Germany), so it was decided focus on toy production. The prisoners made wooden farm houses and animals, trains etc. Today these things are regarded as very decorative, so sometimes they can be quite pricy. Being toys, they are often not in the best conditions as is also the case with this brown and white cow (there are chips on the hooves etc.). It has lost its little leather ears and has only little left of its leather tails as well.

The other object is a hopscotch marker made of glass, decorated with flying birds and waves. These markers were made from 1934 at Fyens Glassworks (1873-1990) in no less than 25 different colours, here a lovely blue! I believe that this one has never been used since it has no chips or scratches which you would expect.

Size of cow: 13 x 8.5 cm (5.5 x 3.4 in). Diameter of marker 6.5 cm.