Norah Wellings Monkeys were listed under her 'Novelty Animal' range. Norah was happy to make Special Orders of all her products so out there somewhere I hope there will be some Monkeys never listed in any of the Norah Wellings Catalogues. If a model number does not appear in all the catalogues it does not always mean she didn't make them again. There is always a chance someone could order a particular model from a past catalogue. As you can see I do not have real life photo's of all the Monkeys so if you have any to share please email me and I will add them here. Thank you.
Original Plaster Monkey Moulds Sculptured by Norah Wellings
'TRIKKO', Model 129 and 130
The first Norah Wellings Monkeys were called 'Trikko' . I first saw him in a 1928 photo of The British Indusrty Fair stand and he appears in a 1929 catalogue. However he could have been introduced in her first line of products in 1927. I can't see him in any of the photo's of that time, however this does not mean he wasn't there. Interesting that there are three models with the 'Trikko' name . Most of them made of Alpca and Lambswool Plush however Mohair was used occasionally. The Monkeys had velveteen faces, hands and feet with glass eyes in the early years until around 1938 when eyes were painted
The first 'Trikko' model 129 was made in a sitting position with knees up. He came in four sizes 7 inches to 30 inches. Made of Alpaca and Lambswool with largest made of longer mohair. He does not appear in the 1936 catalogue but Norah often did Special Orders and possibly made him again but not in her main line of production.
'Trikko' model 130 is the one we see most of the time. He is in a standing position with only his head jointed. In the early days he was made in four sizes up to 39 inches. He was a very popular model and still produced right up to 1959 and is in the last Norah Wellings catalogue. I have seen him made in white, alpaca (seems to be used as a colour as well as material in the catalogue) , brown, pink and lilac. It would be interesting to see if there are any other colours out there. Only the colours White and Alpaca are mentioned in catalogues I have. Norah Wellings Labels are found on the Tail or Foot
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| 'Trikko' Model 129 .First photo from a 1930 catalogue |
'Trikko' Model 129 .Photo taken at the British Industry Fair 1930
'Trikko' Model 130 . Taken from the 1929 catalogue.
Two photo's of 'Trikko' Models 130. The first one as you can see has longer hair the next two have slight pink shade to them and are shorter wool plush. All have glass eyes. Norah Wellings Label found on Tail or Foot
SPIDER MONKEY, Model 131
Model 131 called a 'Spider Monkey' made of Alpaca Plush and features in the 1933 catalogue . He appears standing on all fours and has wire armature in arm, legs and tail. He was only 6 inches tall.
Spider Monkey model 131 taken from the 1933 catlogue.
' KNUTTO', model 450
'Knutto' model 450 was descibed as a Comic Monkey in a pre 1933 catalogue. His outfit is an integral part of his body with jacket ,pants and a removeable flat cap made of velveteen. They were made in sizes 8 1/2 inches to 37 inches. The largest Knutto had separate fingers and toes. Wonderful character and found in lots of colourways for his oufit. He was made through to the 1940's again earlier with glass eyes later painted eyes. The smallest one had painted eyes regardless of age. Norah Wellings Labels found on Tail or Foot
'Knutto' 450, photograph from the 1930's catalogue
'Knutto' 450 Smallest size 8 1/2 inches, painted eyes and a 17 inch Monkey with glass eyes
'Knutto', 17 inches tall 1940 with painted eyes.
'GYPO', model 455
'Gypo', is model 455 another described as a Comic Character but only made for a few years 1930 to around 1937. He was listed in sizes 8 1/2 inches to 19 inches. His outfit was an integral part of his body felt top and pants with a clown type pointed hat.
'Gypo', model 455 taken from an early 1930's catalogue
'Gypo', model 455, he is 12 inches tall , not wearing his original hat, glass eyes.
' MONKEY', model 4110
'Monkey', model 4110. Described as Monkey with Coat and Hat. He first appeared in the 1936 catalogue. He was made of wool plush and his outfit of felt. He has wire armature in his arms, legs and tail similar to the construction of the earlier Spider Monkey. He wears a Tail Coat and Fez Hat. Made in four sizes 12 1/2 inches to 22 inches . He has glass eyes. Only seems to have been made for a few years but in the 1950 catalogue it shows him looking even more like the Spider Monkey. It has the same model number 4110 but only made in one size 7 inches tall and he has felt eyes.
'Monkey' model 4110. Taken from the 1936 catalogue
'Monkey' Model 4110. He is 14 inches tall with all original clothing, glass eyes, label on foot.
'Monkey', model 4110 . Taken from the 1950 catlaogue.
'Monkey' , model 4110. He is 7 inches tall Showing him front and back and has felt hands like the Pixies and his felt eyes similar to those used on Norah Wellings Mascot Animals.
'Monkey', model 4110. I couldn't resist taking them both together.
'MONKEY', model 5112
Monkey model 5112 was only made for a couple of years and first shown in the 1936 catalogue and only made in one size 20 inches . The catlogue says made of wool plush but the long hair around his face looks like mohair. He looks similar in a sitting position as the early model 'Trikko' 129
Monkey ,model 5112 taken from the 1936 Catalogue
'MONKEY', HAND PUPPET
Norah Wellings made Monkey Hand Puppets with the model number K62 they were 9 inches tall with the label on the inside. The earlier one wasmade with mohair and glass eyes or painted eyes and had felt ears, feet and hands They were still being made right up to the last catlogue in 1959 but then with wool plush , painted eyes and cut straight at the base with no feet.
Two Monkey Hand puppets model K62 one with mohair and glass eyes the other wool plush and painted eyes.
'MONKEY ' PYJAMA CASE
Monkey Pyjama Case model K106, this photo is taken from the 1936 catalogue but I think he would have been introduced a little earlier but only made for a few years. He is 20 inches in height and described as being made of Plush, Velveteen and Felt. I have seen some in diffeent colourways and trousers made of different materials.I have also seen one with a Fez Hat. Made with glass and painted eyes.
MONKEY NIGHTDRESS CASE
Monkey Nightdress Case, model K107, taken from the 1936 catalogue. Described as being made of Alpaca, Plush and Velveteen and 20 inches tall. I think he was made a little earlier but only made for a few years. Made with glass and painted eyes.
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