A carved and painted wood fox hunting group attributed to Frank Whittington

A carved and painted wood fox hunting group attributed to Frank Whittington, of Forest Toys, comprising: six horses and riders, seven hound dogs and a fox, early 20th century, 23cm (max). (14)

Frank Whittington (1876-1973) established a toy making firm at the end of World War I in the New Forest, making carved animals and people, inspired by his surroundings and from regular trips to London Zoo and the Natural History Museum. Originally making the toys from home the demand became such that in 1922 he built a factory on the edge of the New Forest (Brockenhurst). The popularity of the figures rose when Queen Mary ordered two dozen Noah`s Arks after seeing them at the British Industries Fairs during the inter war period.