Susan Parkinson Hedgehog

A stylised Hedgehog figurine by Susan Parkinson, 1956.

Following the success of Parkinson's mouse figurine, designed for the holiday souvenir trade, she created a handful of small creatures such as a robin, a small pig & this hedgehog. These were intended to supply the more numerous 'fancy goods' shops that emerged in Post-War Britain when tourism began to flourish once again.

This Hedgehog, model 80, proved to be one of Parkinson's most popular designs and was produced until 1960. After this date, the design was reimagined to have a flatter & longer silhouette. This earlier hedgehog has a plump silhouette, which we feel is most in-keeping with the animal itself.

The design is a wonderful caricature of the woodland creature, and displays a playfully Modernist style associated with Susan Parkinson's work. The piece has been decorated in Parkinson's signature monochromatic fashion yet is slightly more abstract than her other work; the design features painted 'stars' on his body, which appear as if he had been rolling in a pile of dry leaves or flowers. The eyes are large & abstract, and further indicate Parkinson's humour & playfulness. Painted in a spiral, or "swiss roll",  the figurine's eyes are a signature of Parkinson's work and are a feature of many of her designs.