Post-Medieval — C. 1300; late 13th century or early 14th century
Miniature knight on horseback
This knight on horseback is the earliest hollow-cast pewter figure known in England, and is one of the earliest examples of a mass-produced medieval metal toy. The knight wears a hauberk (coat of mail) and he carries a sword in his right hand. His helmet is missing. Stylistic features suggest a date of about 1300. Comparable figures have been found on the continent and similar mounted knights are shown in Matthäus Schwarz of Augsburg's autobiographical costume book of 1509. This knight was probably played with by a medieval child. The presence of a large number metal toys from London shows that there was a thriving mass market in children's playthings in the medieval period.
Purchased with the assistance of the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, and of The Art Fund. The Museum of London’s collection of early base-metal toys is probably the largest and most important of its kind in the world. For further information see: Forsyth, H R with Egan, G, 2004, 'Toys, Trifles and Trinkets: Base-Metal Miniatures from London 1200-1800', London.
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- 98.2/404
- Object name:
- Miniature knight on horseback
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- c. 1300; late 13th century or early 14th century
- Material:
lead alloy, tin-lead alloy, pewter
- Measurements/duration:
- H 53 mm, W 40 mm (overall), H 58 mm, W 42 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
Purchased with the assistance of the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Art Fund.
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.