Object of the Month: February 2025

Peggy Tearle was a local Leicester Toymaker and author, who, alongside producing creative toys and jewellery, wrote instructional books and pamphlets for the Dryad company. She studied at Leicester College of Art and was a member of the Guild of Toymakers.

She appeared on television and in magazines presenting tutorials on how to make toys and jewellery out of easily sourced materials and objects that could be found around the home.

An article published in The Illustrated Chronicle July 21, 1958, showcasing her work stated that:

‘They are not so much toys as house ornaments’.

Peggy also produced figures for shop windows and advertising displays, and she created a display of her

Peggy Tearle Gallery

Peggy Tearle with some of her toys

Beefeater toy, by Peggy Tearle

A Dryad Handicraft booklet showcasing toys by Peggy Tearle

The Object of the Month can be seen in person throughout January at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.