A handmade "Whirly Fish" toy made by Robert Race. Race has made a number of this type of toy, this one is a shark made from a painted plastic yoghurt bottle. The whole toy is suspended from a long wooden stick which can be used to control its movement as the shark whirls around. The bead propellor and paper fins are decorative not functional!

This is a quirky, simply made toy full of character.

This piece was part of the collection of automata and moving toys owned by Sir Nicholas Goodison, I have included some information about him below. 

Goodison noted "Robert Race (b1943) exhibits his moving toys, automata and kinetic sculpture in Britain and internationally. He is a member and past Chairman of the British Toymakers Guild. His work often incorporates a wide range of natural, re-used and recycled material to make objects which move in simple but interesting ways."  

Sir Nicholas Goodison (1934-2021) was a true polymath, as well as having a highly successful career in the financial industry he was also a leading figure in and patron of the Arts. He amassed his collection of sculpture and toys over a 50 year period whilst travelling the world.