Bob the Builder

People all over the world make dolls and figurines. They are made for many different reasons, not always as toys to be played with. In some societies figurines are made only for use by adults in religious or other belief-related ceremonies.

The dolls and figures shown in the Reveal exhibition date from the last 400 years and were made to be played with as toys. Children in the past played with toys in different ways to today’s children. Dolls were often expensive and more fragile than modern ones, so children were not allowed to play roughly with them. As a result, many of them have survived in surprisingly good condition even though they are very old.

Some older dolls are considered to be precious collectors’ items. In the future, some of our modern dolls may be just as prized by collectors.