Mechanical toy made in 1895. Museum no. Misc. 1-1965

Crawling beetle, about 1895

Moving toys often copy the real movements of the animals and insects they represent - jumping, crawling, bending. When this clockwork beetle is wound up, it crawls across the floor. The beetle is tin-plated and has a highly decorated surface. Its wings lift up to reveal a striking metallic blue underside. It was made in Germany by E.P. Lehmann.