Toys used for Lowenfeld's 'World Technique' therapy, London, England, 1920-1970

PART OF:
Toys used for Lowenfeld's 'World Technique' therapy
Made:
1920-1970 in England

Miscellaneous section of figures, Box 27, taken from the Lowenfeld's 'World Technique' therapy collection. Consists of 1 book titled 'My Pets', 1 boat, roof missing (wooden), 1 haystack (metal), 1 flat wood piece with brown side, 2 wigwams (metal), 5 Flat figures, various (wood), 2 flat wood shapes, 1 metal swing, 1 fruit and flowers stall in 3 parts (wooden), 1 female figure under umbrella (wooden), 4 benches, 2 green, 2 white, various size (metal), 1 green stairs (metal), 2 fence, one orange, one white (metal), 4 log pulling carriages, various sizes (wooden), 1 lawn mower (metal), 7 Horses, various, 1 mouse riding dog - Mickey Mouse and Pluto (?), plastic, 1 bottle urinal (glass), 1 mirror, 1 sheet, triangle shaped (plastic), 2 fish, one green plastic, one very small wood, 1 dinosaur (plastic), 1 umbrella in red (wooden), 4 black cats (plastic), 2 birds, one duck, one chicken (plastic), 1 lion (plastic), 1 dog (plastic), 2 giraffes, one wood, one plastic head only, 1 rabbit (metal), 1 fox (metal), 1 goat (wood), 1 elephant head (plastic), 4 yellow baskets (metal), 1 snake head (plastic), 1 monkey (wood), 2 purses, small, 'City Bank' (plastic), 2 green beds in 2 parts each (metal), 2 diamond shaped dishes (metal), 1 pie (plaster), 1 pink dish (plastic), 1 white arrow (metal), 3 carts on wheels (wooden), 8 Figures, various, 1 chimney (metal), 1 head with red hat (wooden), 1 marble (glass), 3 plants various, small sizes, 1 grey frame (metal), 14 wheels, either joined as a pair or individual, 3 discs with food on (plaster), 1 table, legs missing, knifes on table (wooden), 22 green tiles, one with a small female figure attached, 18 tiles, one red the rest grey (metal), 1 'ice' kiosk, no wheels (wooden), 1 hand, small and flat (wooden) and 1 cardboard box filled with unidentifiable items.

What do toys have to do with trauma? In the years before the Second World War, Margaret Lowenfeld, a child psychiatrist in London, was looking for ways to help children express fears, anger, and family problems that they couldn’t say in words. At her clinic, she began experimenting with the use of small toys in a sand-box and gradually developed an approach she called ‘the World Technique’. This involved a large rectangular tray, sand and water for building a landscape, pieces of plasticine, and an extensive ‘library’ of miniature figures kept in dozens of drawers. Lowenfeld simply asked children to create a world, and observed what happened.

Her idea had parallels to Sigmund Freud’s theories of hysteria – where repressing traumatic memories could lead to psychological and physical symptoms. But Lowenfeld never regarded herself as a psychoanalyst. She always said her chief influences were the children she worked with and the novelist H.G. Wells. She attributed the idea behind the World Technique to a small book, published in 1911, in which Wells described how he had encouraged his two sons to construct elaborate ‘floor games’ out of miniature figures, such as toy soldiers and building blocks.

Other therapists carried on Lowenfeld’s methods in various ways. In the 1950s and 1960s, one psychoanalyst adapted the World Technique in order to encourage children and adults to develop their ‘inner selves’ in a safe, non-judgmental space. This approach became very popular among American psychotherapists under the name ‘Sandplay’. Later, in the 1960s, psychologists in Sweden standardised the World Technique into the ‘Erica Method’, which uses a set of 360 toys in various categories. The Erica Method has recently been used to study post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Iranian refugee children in Sweden.

Details

Category:
Psychology, Psychiatry & Anthropometry
Object Number:
2009-14/28
type:
toy - recreational artefact
credit:
The Dr Margaret Lowenfeld Trust

Parts

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a lamppost with a silver coloured lamp, a green post, base and top of lamp, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 71 mm x 16 mm x 14 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/23
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a lamppost with a silver coloured lamp, a green post, base and top of lamp, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 71 mm x 16 mm x 14 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/24
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a lamppost with a silver coloured lamp, a green post, base and top of lamp, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 71 mm x 16 mm x 14 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/25
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a lamppost with a silver coloured lamp, a green post, base and top of lamp, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 71 mm x 16 mm x 14 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/26
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of two sets of traffic lights on a black and white stripped pole on a black square, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 62 mm x 15 mm x 15 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/28
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a Shell branded petrol pump with a red and white base with a dial for 1-8 gallons with a metal handle on the reverse, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 68 mm x 20 mm x 14 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/29
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a road sign on black and white stripped pole, on a circular base, with a circular sign with 30 on one side and on the reverse a white circle with a black line through it, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 78 mm x 19 mm x 19 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/31
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of road sign on a black and white stripped pole on a circular black base, with a red warning triangle and a white sign, reading and showing a roundabout, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 87 mm x 19 mm x 19 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/32
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of road sign on a black and white stripped pole on a circular black base, with a red warning triangle in a red circle and a white sign, reading a 'Slow Major Road Ahead', unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 76 mm x 21 mm x 18 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/33
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of road sign on a black and white stripped pole on a circular white base, with a red warning triangle in a red circle and a white sign, reading a 'Hospital', unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 67 mm x 18 mm x 18 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/34
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a road sign on a black and white stripped pole on a circular white base, with a red warning triangle in a red circle and a white sign, reading a 'Road Narrows'

Measurements:
overall: 66 mm x 13 mm x 13 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/35
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a road sign on a black and white stripped pole on a circular white base, with a red warning triangle in a red circle and a white sign, reading a 'Hospital', unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 68 mm x 13 mm x 13 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/36
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a road sign on a black and white stripped pole on a circular white base, with a red warning triangle in a red circle and a white sign, reading 'Steep Hill', unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 68 mm x 12 mm x 12 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/37
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a road sign on a black and white stripped pole on a circular white base, with a red warning triangle in a red circle and a white sign, reading a 'Road Junction', unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 68 mm x 12 mm x 14 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/38
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a road sign on a black and white stripped pole on a circular white base, with a red warning triangle in a red circle and a white sign, reading a 'Road Junction', unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 68 mm x 12 mm x 14 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/39
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy totem used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy totem used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a totem pole with a green base and animals in blue, yellow and pink, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 77 mm x 13 mm x 13 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/41
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Green metal model of a base on a flared base with a pointed end and one arm, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 64 mm x 18 mm x 18 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/44
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Green metal model of a base on a flared base with a pointed end and one arm, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 64 mm x 18 mm x 18 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/45
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Green metal model of a base on a flared base with a pointed end and one arm, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 64 mm x 18 mm x 18 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/46
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a pole on a green circular base with a square white top, made by Britains Ltd, made in England, 1907-1970, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 91 mm x 27 mm x 27 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2009-14/28/47
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy road sign used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy road sign used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a wooden road sign with one direction 'To the Mill' and the other 'Villa' stuck into grass, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 77 mm x 38 mm x 21 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/48
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy sign used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy sign used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Model of a wooden road sign stuck into grass, by Britains Ltd, made in England, 1907-1970, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 80 mm x 31 mm x 21 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
wood
Object Number:
2009-14/28/49
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy weighing scales used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy weighing scales used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Red model of a weighing scales with scale and 'Try Your Weight', unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 52 mm x 22 mm x 19 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/51
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy post box used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy post box used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a post box missing a door, made by B&S, made in England, used for Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 52 mm x 24 mm x 24 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2009-14/28/54
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy marker stone used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy marker stone used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a marker stone reading 'To London V Miles', unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 37 mm x 32 mm x 22 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/55
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy windmill used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy windmill used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a windmill on a white base, green roof and red arms, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 73 mm x 55 mm x 30 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/56
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy water pump used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy water pump used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a water pump and trough, missing handle, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 61 mm x 27 mm x 34 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/57
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy booth used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy booth used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a blue booth, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 41 mm x 28 mm x 13 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/58
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy feeding bottle used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy feeding bottle used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Plastic model of a feeding bottle, unknown maker, made in Germany, used for Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 22 mm x 64 mm x 24 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
plastic
Object Number:
2009-14/28/59
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy tower used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy tower used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Wooden model of a tower with two black bands, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 57 mm x 14 mm x 14 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
wood
Object Number:
2009-14/28/60
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy person used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy person used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Wooden model of a woman wearing a green dress standing underneath a parasol, all on a wooden base, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 54 mm x 32 mm x 47 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/64
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy swing used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy swing used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a swing, white frame and green base and green swing seat, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 87 mm x 58 mm x 43 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/71
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy lamppost used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Metal model of a green ornate lamppost with a smaller posts either side, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 122 mm x 68 mm x 24 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
2009-14/28/72
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy scooter used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy scooter used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Wooden model of a red scooter with semi-attached rider with a red hat, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 29 mm x 80 mm x 45 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
wood
Object Number:
2009-14/28/76
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy scooter used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy scooter used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Wooden model of a red scooter with semi-attached animal rider, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 32 mm x 63 mm x 18 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
wood
Object Number:
2009-14/28/77
type:
toy - recreational artefact
Toy drum used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Toy drum used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World Technique"

Plastic model of a red drum, unknown maker, used in Margaret Lowenfeld's "World technique", 1920-1970

Measurements:
overall: 8 mm x 20 mm x 8 mm, .02 kg
Materials:
plastic
Object Number:
2009-14/28/86
type:
toy - recreational artefact