Children With Toys – Spring 1830

Three French boys play with outdoor toys in 1830. The oldest child in the center wears white strapped peg top trousers and a tight-waisted blue frock coat with leg o’ mutton sleeves. The coat is lined with diagonal red and white stripes, which just shows at the front of the hem. Underneath the coat is a red vest or waistcoat and a white pleated, embroidered shirt with a ruffled collar. The collar is tied with a wide yellow cravat.

To complete the outfit the child wears black shoes, white gloves, and a blue, flat crowned, billed hat accented with a single beaded hanging ornament. The child carries a yo-yo and a fife or penny whistle. Standing with his back to the viewer and playing with a jump-rope is another boy who wears a similar outfit illustrating the rear view in a gray coat, green trousers, and a green cap. This view clearly shows the embroidery on the top of the hat and the pleated folds of the coat skirt. His hair is worn in curls that reach just below his collar in back.

The snug waist is created with a yoke just above the waist. The smallest child with long blond curls wears a tan jacket and trouser suit. The jacket is buttoned at the center front, and a band, which may be part of the jacket, or may be separate, is buttoned at the waist. Buttons are visible at the sides of the peg top trousers, which are full and gathered at the the waist and taper to the ankles.

The sleeves of the jacket are leg o’ mutton, with buttoned cuffs worn over a white shirt with jewel neckline showing some gathers. The child wears black strapped shoes, a gold chapeau napolitain hat with a black bill, and carries a rolling hoop. Not part of the original illustration are pencil markings on all three faces of the children, giving them moustaches and goatees.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges