The toys, crafted from wood, papier-mâché, and composition, originated from the Sonneberg and Erzgebirge regions of Germany.

The extensive collection, amassed over decades by the late David Finn of Nottinghamshire, went under the hammer at Special Auction Services in Newbury. Auctioneer’s toy expert, Daniel Agnew, described the toys as “a little disturbing” and noted their controversial nature by modern standards.

The auction achieved a hammer price of £192,154, inclusive of buyer’s premium. Highlights included a Sonneberg papier-mâché and wood hand-cranked mechanical shepherdess toy, dating back to the 1830s, which fetched £6,500. Another notable piece was a squeaking pig, whose tongue and ears animated when its bellows were squeezed, BBC reports.

Mr Agnew explained that 19th-century toys were often luxury items, not always intended for children, but rather as adult novelties for drawing rooms. The collection, featuring soldiers, animals, and other figures, provides a glimpse into social history and evolving attitudes. While considered amusing in their time, some pieces reflect sensibilities no longer deemed acceptable today.

“This collection gives us a remarkable glimpse into the world of the 19th Century toy shop even if some of the pieces cause a little controversy,” Mr Agnew added.