In the golden age of Victorian novelty toys, few pieces rival the charm and mechanical ingenuity of Britains’ gyroscopic The Mikado. Manufactured around 1880–1890 by Britains Ltd, better known for their military miniatures, The Mikado offered a curious fusion of Eastern-inspired design and British toy-making precision. We take a look at this interesting figure along with a price guide of some sold examples at auction.

Standing around 10 to 11cm high, this cast-metal figure depicts a seated “Chinaman” dressed in an opulent mix of colours—turquoise, orange, pale blue, and pink—holding a red-and-gold parasol and a delicate paper fan. When the parasol is spun, the figure cleverly appears to wave the fan with his other hand, a whimsical effect achieved through internal gyroscopic mechanics. Though simple by modern standards, it was an engineering marvel for a child’s toy at the time and also intended as a mantelpiece ornament: “Always amusing,” the original catalogue boasted.

Today, collectors prize this toy not just for its rarity, but for the completeness of its components—especially the paper fan, which is almost always missing. Recent auction results reflect its enduring appeal: a boxed example fetched a bargain £160 at Wincanton in 2022; another, fan intact, achieved £228 at Christie’s in 2007. A fully operable example in excellent condition, albeit without the famous fan, sold for a staggering £600 at Lacy Scott & Knight in 2023. Another fine example, complete with original paper fan, sold for £700 at Special Auction Services in June 2020.

Whether seen as a delicate relic of Victorian fascination with the East or a rare piece of early kinetic design, Britains’ Mikado remains a jewel among antique toy collectors. Its charm lies not just in its movement, but in its status as a window into the playful yet ornate tastes of late 19th-century Britain.

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