This miniature pommelled horse belongs to a series of models of gymnastics appliances donated by Anni Collan to the Sports Museum in 1941. The 1/10 scale models are made of lacquered wood, metal, leather and wool cloth. The series was produced in 1907 by the carpenter Oskari Anttila on the commission of a committee of gymnastics teachers including Collan. The models were used as teaching material at gymnastic instructors’ courses.
Anni Collan was a leading figure in Finnish women’s gymnastics in the first half of the 20th century. She worked as gymnastics teacher at several colleges in Helsinki and later as inspector of gymnastics in Finnish school administration while serving as chairwoman of the Finnish Women’s Gymnastics Association and as a prominent leader in the international girl scout movement.
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