This great article features an 1840’s miniature butcher shop, complete with a series of strung-up meats.
A few different theories surround this incredible creation. Some believe it was intended for presumably less squeamish children of the Victorian era, while others call attention to the popular trend of miniatures for adults at the time. Either way, it’s an intriguing artifact.
This 1900 model, on the other hand, was made by esteemed German toymaker Christian Hacker (definitely intended for children):
See more (including doll houses and a pet shop) at Collector’s Weekly.




13 responses to “A Child’s First Butcher Shop”
I know what I’m getting the husband for Christmas now.
If your husband would actually appreciate this…you found a good man. ๐
Has anyone alerted the Playschool company that there haunted house has been out done by a toymaker of a previous era?
Ha! How awful do modern toys look in comparison? ๐
Or you can knit your meat: http://tricotgourmand.blogspot.de/p/les-viandes.html
Hahaha…those are excellent!
Anyone else hungry?
It wasn’t until well into the 20th century that more people in Europe & North America lived in cities than on farms, and even in the cities until the spread of the “supermarket” almost everyone went to butcher shops for their meat. There was no reason to be squeamish about such things when you saw them every day.
Very true indeed.
They just don’t make toys like they used to! ๐
This would cause lawsuits nowadays because of the small choking hazard pieces. Such a shame.
This would be educational for a lot of people these days. I’ve heard that some children don’t even know where milk comes from!
Nothing would surprise me about today’s youth.