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Yo Yo

1930-1939 (made)
Artist/Maker

Yo-yo of turned wood painted bright yellow, with white string wound around the centre. On one side is a diamond shaped metallic and black sticker which reads: Trademark NUTOP LONDON In England.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
painted wood, metal and string
Brief description
Wood and string, English, 1930-39
Physical description
Yo-yo of turned wood painted bright yellow, with white string wound around the centre. On one side is a diamond shaped metallic and black sticker which reads: Trademark NUTOP LONDON In England.
Dimensions
  • Whole object diameter: 5.1cm
Marks and inscriptions
On one side of the yo-yo is a sticker which reads:Trademark NUTOP LONDON In England.
Gallery label
Group of yo-yos, 1950-1990
The yo-yo is said to have originated in ancient China and is shown on greek pots around 500 BC. In England from 1700-1800 it was also called a 'quiz' or 'bandalore'.
Credit line
Given by Mrs. M. A. Clayton. [92/1161]
Object history
The yo-yo has been used as a toy, weapon and stress reliever. The toy yo-yo has been around for thousands years. Yo-yos were used a wepaons in the Philippines during the 1500s. Hunters would set in trees and attack animals using a rock on the end of a string. This weapon could be used over and over gain. The rock developed into a carved piece of wood and yo-yoing became the national pastime. In Europe in the 1700s, particularly in France and England, yo-yoing became popular among the aristocracy as a game, but also as a way of keeeping calm and relaxed.
Subject depicted
Collection
Accession number
MISC.644-1992

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
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