Images(2)

Balancing Man

Datelate nineteenth century

OriginAmerica, New England (possibly) or Canada

MediumRed pine (est), hickory (est), ferrous metal, copper alloy, paint, wax

DimensionsOverall: 15 3/16 × 12 13/16 × 5 1/2 in, 0.7 lb. (38.5 × 32.5 × 14cm, 0.3 kg)

Ball to ball width: 12 3/4" man's height: 7" stand: H: 9" x L: 5 1/2" x W: 5 1/2"

Credit LineGift of the Museum of Modern Art

Object number1954.1200.1,A&B

DescriptionA carved figure of a man in suit and top hat has his arms outstretched holding a wire curved downward with a weighted ball at each end. The man's arms are hinged so that the weight can be adjusted. The man stands in the small circle at the top of the base where he rocks back and forth when pushed, but doesn't fall.Label TextThis toy like most balancing toys is designed so that when the little figure is tipped forward, he swings back into an upright, stable position. The principle behind such wooden balancing toys is quite simple: the figure is balanced on a platform while holding a bent wire with weights at each end of the wire. These weights carry the center of gravity below the figure so that he maintains his balance in the face of all motion. This combination of movement and suspended animation has fascinated people for years, and many American balancing toys are modeld along lines of traditional European examples.ProvenanceThis toy was given by Mrs. Rockefeller to the Museum of Modern Art in 1939, who in turn gave it to Colonial Williamsburg in 1954.