Clockwork dancing bear with man and tambourine.

Novelty clockwork toys were made in many categories: people in all manner of activity, clowns, animals, circus figures. They had a wider appeal than more specialised clockworks - such as cars, planes and even trains - and, because they did not become outdated by more advanced models, their appeal could last several generations.

For many centuries Germany was the centre of toy manufacturing in Europe. The production of mechanical tin toys was a natural extension of this. While Germany dominated the trade other European countries, including France and England, also manufactured in this area: notably in England Frank Hornby invented Meccano and Hornby trains in the early 20th century.

In the 19th century, America began manufacturing mechanical toys and in the mid-20th century Japan entered this lucrative field. While at first their toys were purely imitative and with little individuality, by the 1960s Japanese toys were of increasing sophistication and were well finished items. Japan and the United States of America continue to lead the world in toy production, having assumed the mantle lost by Germany following the two World Wars.

Bartholomew, Charles. Mechanical toys, London; New York [etc.]: Hamlyn, 1979

Gardiner, Gordon. The all-colour directory of metal toys: a pictorial guide to the art of collecting international playthings, Sydney: Lansdowne, c1984

Hillier, Mary. Automata & mechanical toys: an illustrated history, London: Jupiter, 1976

Hampshire Museums Service: Childhood Collection. A brief history of toys

Powerhouse Museum: Collections. Toy, dancing sailor

Powerhouse Museum: Collections. Toy clown as juggler

Victoria and Albert Museum: Museum of Childhood. Collections: Moving toys Includes video clips of some toys

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. To be a child August 2004-

State Library of South Australia: Treasures of the State Library. Clockwork toys