The project in motion

As part of its ongoing research activities, the sociology team has been conducting in-depth interviews with members of the tinplate toy collecting community. In January, an interview with a prominent collector provided valuable insights through direct access to the collection and the narratives surrounding practices of collecting, preserving, and valuing tinplate toys. This fieldwork contributes to a deeper sociocultural understanding of the phenomenon under study. 

Three students from NOVA FCT and FCUL are currently contributing to this project through their master's theses (2025-2026):

• Preserving Movement: A Tool for Classifying and Conserving Historic Toys Based on the Study of Their Mechanisms by Natacha Jesus EXPLORE FURTHER

• Optimization of X-ray Techniques for the Characterization of Tinplate Toys by Leonor Rodrigues, EXPLORE FURTHER

• Decorative Coatings on Tinplate Toys: Technical Study, Materials, and Conservation of Portuguese Toys (1920–1960) by Ângela Martins, EXPLORE FURTHER