L'élégant architecte Der Elegante Architekt = The elegant architect. [electronic resource].

not identified [ca. 1820]

still image

Open access content

An early façade toy, "The elegant architect" comprises over 100 wood pieces cut into various shapes for arranging into buildings, each piece covered on one side with hand-coloured printed designs representing neo-classical building details. The set is accompanied by two hand-coloured illustrations which serve as instruction sheets. "The elegant architect" is reminiscent of the early jigsaw puzzles which originated in the 18th century as 'dissected maps', printed sheets which were indeed sometimes maps, sometimes prints representing historical events or similar subject matter. The sheets were mounted on wood and cut with the aid of a jig, the resulting sets being used as teaching devices. The development of architectural and constructional toys and games continued throughout the 19th century -- many in the form of building blocks with columns, arches, windows and doors, some covered with printed paper, some with and some, like this one, without interlocking devices. While other materials, such as stone, steel and plastic, were eventually used in the manufacture of toys, classic wooden building blocks continue to occupy an important place on the shelves of today's toyshops.

Wooden toys Specimens; Blocks (Toys) Specimens; Jouets en bois Spécimens; Jouets Spécimens; Toys Specimens; Cubes (Pièces de jeu) Spécimens.

Stacking assembly system toys