Antonio Vitali & Creative Playthings
Awhile back I wrote about toys that were sold in the United States by Creative Playthings. I continue to be mesmerized by the organic wood sculptures that Antonio Vitali created.
Antonio Vitali: Family
When asked what really motivated him to develop toys, Vitali said, "I became a father at a young age and wanted to buy my children their first toys The squeaky, mostly horrible looking rubber animals and celluloid rattles that were sold at that time did not satisfy me. Anyhow, money was a commodity lacking to a young starving sculptor. I was handy and so I started making my own toys." Although adults found his toys not realistic enough, he observed that children were completely enthralled and fascinated by his creations. His abstract figures challenged children's imagination. Here are a few:
