Textile horse

Classification(s):
Textile
Date: c.1951 - 1976
Dimensions:
320 × 260 mm (32 × 26 cm)
Medium: Textile, cotton, wool, mirrored glass
Object number: CC039
Place of Production:Nepal
DescriptionStuffed textile patchwork horse with embroidery to the body. Made in Nepal. The horse has a decorated horse blanket, a multi-coloured wool pom-pom mane and small circular mirrors stitched into the textile, including 2 for the eyes. The maker is unknown.


ProvenanceThis object was originally acquired for the Inner London Education Authority’s (ILEA) ‘Circulating Design Scheme’ collection.

The collection was instigated by the London Country Council (later the Greater London Council) and the Council of Industrial Design (COID). The collection’s original purpose was concerned with the teaching and dissemination of modern, ‘good design’.

The collection was established in 1951/52 as the ‘Experiment in Design Appreciation’, later renamed the ‘Circulating Design Scheme’.

The Circulating Design Scheme lent boxed showcases to London schools. The showcases contained handling objects, material samples and interpretation on a specific subject.

COID withdrew its involvement in the Scheme in 1957. After which time, it was managed exclusively by the London County Council from 1957-1963.

After the administrative restructuring of London authorities, the Scheme was jointly managed by the Greater London Council and the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) from 1963 – 1976.

The Scheme was operational until 1976 when the collections were withdrawn from circulation. ILEA was abolished in the late 1980s and the collection was donated to Camberwell College of Arts in 1989/90.

ILEA was responsible for secondary and tertiary education in the inner London boroughs, this included Camberwell.

NotesThis object was circulated to London schools as part of the Inner London Education Authority’s (I.L.E.A) Circulating Design Scheme, which operated from 1951-1976. The rag horse in ceremonial dress featured in the ‘Pop, Folk, Modern’ group in case number 2. The boxed showcase defined ‘modern’ as “contemporary art and design produced by modern artists, craftsmen and designers who honestly reflect the feeling of their times”. The examples of ‘folk’ art are from “abroad where folk art is still a living form of expression”. The display is intended to show the relationship between Pop, Folk and Modern. This object was originally acquired from The Primavera Gallery, London. The associated record card indicates the boxed showcase was in use from 1968-76. Original photograph of boxed showcase copyright Harold King (Photography) Ltd, Morden, Surrey.

ILEA acquired this object from The Primavera Gallery, London.