Painting furniture based on gender - what century/country did this?

[Beckykelley79]

I have a piece of children's furniture that has been painted and re-painted blue and pink throughout the years. Was this a common practice for a specific time or country? I believe this piece of furniture is circa 1830s-1850s. Trying to research it but having no luck.

Thanks,
Becky

[mart]

http://jezebel.com/5790638/the-history-of-pink-for-girls-blue-for-boys

That was common from the early 1930`s to 1960`s !! The Smithsonian says 1940`s was when it became common !!  I think a bit earlier but will not argue with them !!  Here is a short history !!

[cogar]

If you look at some of the “primitive” paintings ….. it is hard to tell the little girls from the little boys because they were both dressed …… in dresses.

Like so, to wit:

Title: John Maddox with a Cat Object Name: painting Artist/Maker: English School, 19thC Role in production: artist Place of Creation: Europe, United Kingdom, England Date: 1815-1825 Accession

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046579785645/
http://www.pinterest.com/shariprowse/folk-art-children-primitive/

[mart]

And all had long hair and curls !!

[sugarcube5419]

and not always so long ago....there's a story in our family that our grandma who had six sons wanted a girl so badly she dressed one of them as a girl, including long hair --

he eventually grew married and had five sons of his own.  None of which were dressed as a girl.

[Rauville]

I used to always look for baby / children's clothing that had been saved from the early 1900's, and never recall coming across anything in the color pink. White seemed to be the most common.

[mart]

Almost all the photos you see from that period are also in white !!

[cogar]

HA,  ….. “pink n’ blue”, …. one of the first ever “sexual discrimination” products being offered by American manufacturers to increase their retail sales.

[mart]

Didn`t think about that but you are probably right !!