Summary

Toy bed made by Mrs Johanna Harry Hillier, nee Gyles, circa 1929-1935, in which was stored toys made from MacRobertson's Max Mint wrappers of waxed paper, printed with a diamond shape in blue and orange with a background of red and blue zig-zag lines.

Mrs Hillier came to Australia from England in 1881. She was a milliner by trade and made a set of these toys for each of three grandchildren. She began by making the fans and then progressed to a variety of other toys. A set of 56 figures, pieces of furniture, costume and costume accessories was donated to Museums Victoria by one of her granddaughters.

Physical Description

Doll sized canopied bed made from Max Mints confectionary wrappers over a frame of Max Mints cardboard box parts. Bed is fitted with pink satin-like fabric drapes from side of canopy falling to loose pleats, pink fabric bolster cushion and padded buttoned mattress. Two kewpie dolls lean on the cushion, dressed in Max Mints wrapper nightdresses trimmed with lace. Mattress has paper buttons and edge of bed and canopy trimmed with fringed Max Mints wrappers. Fabric drapes are tied back with crocheted chain pinned to bed. Dolls' faces are painted.

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