Model of an aeroplane. The main body of the model is made from a recycled spark plug and the rest from wire.[El.B 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 21/3/2005]

Collection type: Object
Description: Model of an aeroplane. The main body of the model is made from a recycled spark plug and the rest from wire.[El.B 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 21/3/2005]
Geographical reference: Zimbabwe
Africa > Eastern Africa > Zimbabwe
Person: Maker Unknown Maker; Field collector Unknown Collector; PRM source Pitt Rivers Museum Shop
Date / Period: Date made: Before 03/2000
Date collected: By 2000
Acquisition information: Purchased: 23/10/2000
Materials and processes: Material Metal, Material Metal Wire, Process Recycled
Dimensions: Height: max 94 mm, Length: max 130 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 2002.61.3
Research and responses: According to Robert Nyamushosho (Lecturer of Archaeology at the University of Cape Town), these toys, usually constructed using a wire frame as a base, are generally sold at markets by craftspeople but are also made by children. Robert recalls making a wire car as a child in primary school, inspired by the large vehicles he would see and by the older boys in his neighbourhood. These toys could be left uncovered as a wire frame, or could be covered and have wheels attached. Robert remembers him and others making such toys using recycled materials such as tin foil, shell oil cans and baked beans cans and using metal containers for shoe polish as wheels for toy cars [MC 2022].