<em>Noah's Ark</em>, ca. 1850. Pine, pigment, 12 x 7 3/4 x 24 in. (30.5 x 19.7 x 61.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection, 72.13.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 72.13.1-.127a-b.jpg)

Noah's Ark, ca. 1850. Pine, pigment, 12 x 7 3/4 x 24 in. (30.5 x 19.7 x 61.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection, 72.13.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 72.13.1-.127a-b.jpg)

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Are these animals heading to Noah's Ark?

You have a good eye--yes, they are! That compilation of toys is named after Noah's Ark.

Those are placed in that library to show that children would have been allowed to play in there. Unlike the adjoining parlor where children would have been taught manners.

Is this Noah's ark?

Yes! This is an example of the type of toys that children would have had at the time. It was intended for play, but also as a means of telling Biblical stories.

It's so cute.

It is!

I'd like to know more about this children's toy. Why does it look like a house and not a boat?

Noah's ark is commonly depicted as a house-like boat. The "house" is on a platform, probably to indicate that it would float. According to the biblical story, Noah, his family, and the animals did need to be sheltered from the raging storm outside.

Noah's Ark

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: Decorative Art, 19th Century, 4th Floor

MEDIUM Pine, pigment

DATES ca. 1850

DIMENSIONS 12 x 7 3/4 x 24 in. (30.5 x 19.7 x 61.0 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS no marks

SIGNATURE no signature

INSCRIPTIONS no inscriptions

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 72.13.1

CREDIT LINE Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Decorative Art, 19th Century, 4th Floor

CAPTION Noah's Ark, ca. 1850. Pine, pigment, 12 x 7 3/4 x 24 in. (30.5 x 19.7 x 61.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection, 72.13.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 72.13.1-.127a-b.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 72.13.1-.127a-b.jpg., 2016

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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