For some time it has been
my desire to design a farmyard and a nativity scene with KÖSEN animals.
The first step of this concept was realised with the development of a
farmyard. It is a replica of my grandparents’ farmhouse from the 16th
Century with which both my brother and I have played when we were young.
Rülke
Holzspielzeug, a company producing traditional wooden toys in the
Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), has developed this farmhouse. They have also
created many accessories in loving detail, as it was our desire to offer
extended opportunities for play. The paddock fences are being produced
in a workshop for disabled people.
Our designer Jolanda Jakobik has designed and produced all animals to
scale 1:7 so that they are in proportion to the farmhouse. Her design
reflects nature to a very high degree. She makes the animals by hand in
elaborate detail, and they are only available exclusively in connection
with this farmyard. Jolanda Jakobik has also created textile dolls to
represent the peasant family. The dolls are jointed so that they can stand,
sit and even ride a horse. Life on the farmyard can be re-enacted, eg.
saddling or harnessing a horse, letting animals graze or feeding them
in the stable, hoisting hay up to the loft, etc., etc. There are no limits
to your imagination.
Our farmyard has been thoroughly tested in a playschool, and suggestions
and findings were implemented in the final product.