Collections record Beta

Noah's Ark Toy

1980-08-1

Noah's Ark toy with figures of animals and three people. Ark is on base with triangular ends in the form of a log house with three windows on each side. Windows are painted black with vermillion sash and green cross bar shutters. Door is Dutch type under a triangular lintel casing. In gable ends are triangular linear shaped in vermillion. Log ends appear to be decals of mustard color on black. Top and bottom of logs are ombre green, remainder ivory with grey simulating mortar. Roof is painted pink and red to simulate tile and is hinged at hinge (however hinges are missing) and has a hand wrought metal hook fastener at one side. A white bird with blue wing and crest with a green leaf in its beak is painted on moveable side of roof. In interior are three human figures carved from dowels, one with a wasp waist indicating the figure is female. All have flat coolie hats. There are also 41 whittled animals among which are recognizable - horses, deer, cows, oxen, pigs, 1 elephant, 1 black sheet and 1 purple cow with sand spots. Some animals are painted with oil, others with water based paint. Some are spotted with a sponge and others have spots painted on.

The ark descended in the Vondermuhl family and donor George speculates it belonged to either his mother Kate Louise Knapp Vondermuhl (1887-1955) or her mother Emma Benedict Knapp (1852-1907)

19th century

• paint
• wood