At the beginning of the 21st Century – and at the opposite end of the scale to more ‘precious’ silver and gold children’s jewellery sold by high street retailers like Argos – we find inexpensive ‘toy’ ranges, typically constructed of plastics, that are aimed at the ‘dressing up’ or ‘playing’ child.
This set of jewellery by David Halsall Toys (UK) – aimed at young girls over the age of three (the goods state they are ‘not suitable for children under 36 months’) – is aptly named the ‘My Dream Princess Collection’.
The jewellery is presented in pink-coloured packaging and on the front, is a blond-haired girl adorned in jewels – the ‘Dream Princess’. She is depicted wearing a white fairytale-style ball gown with a diamante tiara, necklace and earrings, a four-rowed pearl bracelet on her right wrist, and in her hand she carries a jewelled silver ‘princess’ wand.
A princess would not be doing her job correctly without a beautiful handbag and evening jewels – all of which are taken care of in this jewellery ‘My Dream Princess: Gift Set’ constructed of gold-coloured and pink-coloured plastic and set with plastic gems.
Firstly there is a hair-comb decorated with a pink bow and a gold jewel, set with a red gem.
Secondly, there is a complete suite of extravagant gold jewellery consisting of an ornate gold pendant hanging from a chain set with an oval-shaped stone surrounded by six multi-coloured round gems; for the wrist, there is a hinged cuff-bangle decorated with a red oval gem; for the ears, gold-set red stones are hung with gold decoration and red drop-shaped gems; and for the finger, a gold ring is set with a green faceted stone in an ornate diamond-shaped surround.
Finally there is a gold jewelled mirror which can accompany the beautiful princess inside her matching pink handbag with jewelled handles set with a green gem.
References:
Fig 460
2000 – The ‘My Dream Princess Collection: Gift Set’ – featuring a pink plastic bag with gold plastic jewelled handles And a pink plastic hair comb; a gold plastic jewelled mirror, pendant, dangly earrings and a cuff-bracelet all decorated with coloured plastic gems.
By David Halsall Toys, UK
From Madhouse Toyshop, Hammersmith, London
Image by Dr Sarah McAleer, N.Ireland
Image available via:
Dr Sarah McAleer, Australia
