May Gibbs began drawing her gumnut babies in 1914. Snugglepot and Cuddlepie were the main characters in her first full length children's book 'Snugglepot and Cuddlepie: Their Wonderful Adventures', published in 1918. Between 1920 and 1959 her work was used on baby health clinic posters and Department of Health mothers' handbooks. After she died in 1969 copyright on her work passed on to the NSW Society for Crippled children and the Spastic Centre of NSW.

These figures were made under licence overseas by Sydney firm Native Bush Babies.

These figures were sold by the Spastic Centre of NSW and the NSW Society for Crippled Children as fundraising products.

Gumnut characters (5), ceramic, May Gibbs/ Native Bush Babies, Australia, 1985-1990.
Five hand painted moulded ceramic figures of gumnut characters. They are as follows:
1) Two hand painted ceramic figures standing on a plinth. One Gumnut Baby- Snugglepot- has a gum leaf loin cloth and open flower umbrella over his head. He has a bag made from browm gum leaves. The other Gumnut Baby- Ragged Blossom- has a yellow blossom skirt and had her hand raised to the Snugglepot's shoulder. They are standing on circular gum leaf covered plinth which contains a music box. The plinth rotates to the tune of Waltzing Matilda. 'CAUTION/ DO NOT OVERWIND' is stamped on the base.
2) Hand painted ceramic Gumnut Baby with gum leaf loin cloth with bag and Gumnut Baby with blossom skirt on gum leaf covered stationary plinth in similar arrangement to music box. 'N.B.B. Gumnut' is stamped, in black, on the base
3) Hand painted ceramic Gumnut Baby with yellow blossom skirt standing with arms outstretched. 'N.B.B. Gumnut' stamped, in black, on base.
4)Hand painted ceramic Gumnut Baby with yellow blossom skirt standing with arms outstretched. 'N.B.B. Gumnut' stamped, in black, on base.
5) Hand painted Gumnut Baby with gum leaf loin cloth and one arm raised with the other behind the back. 'N.B.B. Gumnut' stamped, in black, on the base.

Made: 1985 - 1990

99/4/95

1985 - 1990

120 mm

90 mm

90 mm