Noah’s ark toy, Germany

The Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) region of eastern Germany has been renowned for its wooden toy industry since the 18th century. This Noah’s ark, dating to around 1860, is decorated with straw marquetry and is accompanied by wooden figures of birds and animals, along with Noah and his wife. 

Many of the German cottage workers had never seen some of these exotic animals, so relied on their imaginations to create green hyenas and cow-like stripy tigers.

Donated by Margaret Buck in 1956.

Accession number: 1956.9.70