Item SH 891235 Toy Lions - Jethro Bernard Fryer, Plywood, circa 1943

Summary

Pair of toy lions made of cut-out plywood by Mr Jethro Bernard Fryer circa 1943 as a fund-raiser for the Children's Hospital, Melbourne.

Jethro Bernard Fryer was invalided in a motor cycle accident in 1937 when his son was a baby, and was substantially paralysed on his right hand side. He 'learnt to use his left had to write and paint those toys, which he made on a treadle jig saw machine that he could operate with his left foot and feed the wood to the blade with his hands on the jig saw table', says his son Jethro James (Jack) Fryer, who recalls this would have been during World War II as he can remember his father making them.

Physical Description

Two toy lions made of cut-out plywood and set on a wooden base. Lions are painted light brown and have painted tail, mane, eye and mouth. Base is painted green.