Skip to content
You are here: Home | Online directories | Cradle to Grave | 03. Toy farm animals

Record details

Toy farm animals

A collection of hand painted cast lead models of fourteen farm animals, figures and a cart made by Britains Ltd, London. These toys are part of the popular Britains Farm Animals series.

They were played with by many local children who were cared for in the Bernardos home in Northampton. The home closed in 1980.

1910-1920
Lead metal and paint

The farm series of toy models consisted of  animals, tractors, machines, figures and accessories. Britains quickly became the leading producer of toy models after inventing the first hollowed-out, lead-alloy figurine. This technique reduced the cost of production which meant they were competitively priced and therefore affordable for many families. In 1966 the production of lead-alloy toy models stopped because the use of the potentially poisonous material was banned.

On display in the Cradle to Grave Gallery