Wooden Noah's Ark toy with hinged lid, constructed in the shape of a Christian church, painted in green and cream, transfer motif on back of Ark reads, 'War Relief Toy Work'. Part of the Children's Literature Research Collection.

This painted Noah’s ark was made in England by injured soldiers from the First World War as part of their rehabilitation. The Ark has three Gothic windows to each side, doors at each end with a hinged roof for storage of animals. It was produced in a factory known as ‘War Relief Toy Works’ which was based in Stoke Newington, London. This set lacks the carved wooden animal figures which would have made up the set, unusually: deer, zebra, tiger, frog, dove, pig, sheep, leopard, bear, dog, donkey, polar bear, pelican, ostrich, hippopotamus, penguin, swan, goat, cow, lion, camel, bison, rhinoceros, giraffe, elephant, plus the figures of Noah & his wife. The distinctive shield with the dove of peace is displayed at one end. This was the most common toy produced by the War Relief Toy Work factory. Different sets were painted in different colours and the animals were either painted or left plain.

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