Not currently on display at the V&A

Set of Marbles

late 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Marbles are one of the oldest known toys and are known to have been played with in pre-Christian Rome. It is a simple toy, but one that has stood the test of time, going in and out of fashion throughout the ages.

Originally made in the late 19th century, these marbles were found on the banks of the River Thames by a professional 'Mudlark'. This set consists of 15 frosted glass marbles and two stone marbles, all with a cream colouring.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 17 parts.

  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
  • Marble
Materials and techniques
Brief description
A set of 17 glass and stone marbles, cream coloured, made in England in the late 19th century
Physical description
Of these 17 marbles, 15 are made from glass and 2 are made from stone, although all have a general cream colouring. The surface of the glass marbles are frosted so that they are semi-opaque. The 2 marbles made from stone are not perfectly spherical and have a mildly bumpy surface. The surfaces of the marbles are also slightly chipped and scratched, presumably from play.
Dimensions
  • Smallest marble diameter: 0.9cm (approx.)
  • Largest marble diameter: 1.4cm (approx)
Credit line
Given by Graeme Brudenell
Object history
This marble, along with others that have been donated, were found on the banks of the Thames by a professional 'Mudlark'.
Association
Summary
Marbles are one of the oldest known toys and are known to have been played with in pre-Christian Rome. It is a simple toy, but one that has stood the test of time, going in and out of fashion throughout the ages.

Originally made in the late 19th century, these marbles were found on the banks of the River Thames by a professional 'Mudlark'. This set consists of 15 frosted glass marbles and two stone marbles, all with a cream colouring.
Collection
Accession number
B.335-2013

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Record createdApril 15, 2014
Record URL
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