Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Play Gallery, the Arcade, Case 1

Tiddleywinks

Game
1930's (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Tiddlywinks can be traced back to late Victorian times when it was a popular parlour game for adults. The earliest patent application for the game was filed by Joseph Assheton Fincher in 1888, and the subsequent trademark application filed in 1889.

The aim of the game is to flick small counters, or "winks," into a cup at the centre of the board using a large counter called a "squidger". The counters in this set are made from plastic but in the past they have been made from a range of materials including wood, bone, and metal.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Playing Board
  • Playing Cup
  • Playing Pieces
  • Boxes (Containers)
TitleTiddleywinks (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Printed card, plastic
Brief description
Boxed game of Tiddleywinks made by Ilkeston Toys Ltd, London, 1930s
Physical description
Tiddlywinks game consisting of:

A red card box with paper label on lid showing two clowns playing 'Tiddleywinks' against a blue background. A collection of 93 counters in different colours. There are three sizes: small, medium, and large. A grey plastic playing cup with three stripes around the centre. Card playing board cut to fit inside base of box with a hole in the centre for the playing cup. The board is divided into four sections, red, blue, green, and yellow. The green and blue sections are numbered 2, and the red and yellow sections are numbered 4.
Dimensions
  • Box height: 53mm
  • Box width: 102mm
  • Box depth: 128mm
  • Largest counters diameter: 32mm
  • Smallest counters diameter: 14mm
  • Cup height: 38mm
  • Cup diameter: 45mm (top)
  • Board height: 40mm
  • Board width: 95mm
  • Board depth: 120mm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Norman Andrews
Historical context
Tiddlywinks was a popular Victorian parlour game for adults and children. The earliest patent application for the game was filed by Joseph Assheton Fincher in 1888, and the subsequent trademark application filed in 1889.
Subject depicted
Summary
Tiddlywinks can be traced back to late Victorian times when it was a popular parlour game for adults. The earliest patent application for the game was filed by Joseph Assheton Fincher in 1888, and the subsequent trademark application filed in 1889.

The aim of the game is to flick small counters, or "winks," into a cup at the centre of the board using a large counter called a "squidger". The counters in this set are made from plastic but in the past they have been made from a range of materials including wood, bone, and metal.
Collection
Accession number
B.139:1 to 4-2004

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 26, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest