Monday, August 13, 2012

Collections - Part Deux

Last month,  I revealed to you one my hoarding compulsions introduced you to some of my "girls"....I warned told you then there might be more to come.  So, this month, I'm sharing my antique toy top collection.

First, your history lesson:  Toy tops date back to the beginning of time, and have been known to virtually every civilization of mankind.  In fact, tops have been found on every continent except Antarctica. In medieval times, most parishes had a "parish top," frequently located in the town square, for all to use.  (Hence Shakespeare's reference in Twelfth Night to “…turn o’ the toe like a parish-top.”) (Stick with me long enough and you, too, will have bunches of useless information stuck in your head.....)

Anywho....There are different "kinds" or classifications of tops, dependent upon the manner in which they are spun:  Twirlers (spun with hands or fingers by twisting the stem - the Jewish dreidels are twirlers); support tops (spun by a cord while the top is held upright with a support); whip tops (spun by whipping the top to give continuous motion); and throwing or peg tops (spun with a string or cord on the body of the top and thrown causing it to spin). (Most of my tops are throwing or peg tops.)  They are known by different names in different parts of the world: trompos, turbos, trottolas, les toupies, kreisels, strombas. But, whatever you call them, they please me well.

 
Blue tops:
  

Green tops:


Red tops:
 

Used-to-be-red tops:

Striped tops:
 

Plain tops:



Really old tops:


Big tops:

Wee tops:

Lots of room for more tops:



33 comments:

BumbleBeeLane said...

I just sold a bunch of those at market.I used to fill up wood bowls with them but decided to clear them out.I hoarded them in my "computer" (really junk room) for a year and finally decided to let them go.Yours made me miss them LoL..Oh well can search again still have a few somewhere around here..Love the useless history lesson...smile..Hugs!~Amy

Kaisievic said...

That is so fascinating. I especially like the idea of the parish top. Thank you som for sharing your collection with us . I, for one, really appreciated. Yor collection is amazing.

Raymond Homestead said...

Those are so cool! I love them! I've actually never any like that before! What a neat collection!

Woman Seeking Center said...

Très amusant dear crow!
I'd be hard pressed to declar which I favor more - the perfectly devised images, the detailed history or the tops themselves. Happily I've no need to indicate favor, instead I'm simply free to enjoy all three categories :-)

Myself I've a affliction/fondness for antique yarn spools, lol Something soothingly alluring held within the patina and storied years of ancient well worn wood..... All the more true with items of childhood!

Continue (please!) the confessions (errrmmm I should rather say 'sharing' yes?) lol of your beautiful collections....

~Sara said...

What a fun post! Blessings~Sara

Carol Stuck said...

Not only did I learn something very interesting, it was tons of fun to see the different little "twirlers" in your collection. Thanks again for sharing.

hugs!
Carol

Jan - Life on Buttermilk Hill said...

Hmmm...I am "dizzy" with delight over your interesting post! I'll have to keep an eye out for those twisting, twirling, terrific treasures! :) --Jan

Lori from Notforgotten Farm said...

well, tha was quite entertaining.
not as entertainging I'm sure as coming acrossed a said top in a pile or duty corner somewhere...
I have an affinity for wooden plumb-bobs...they look litle tops, but have no silver tips or colors painted brightly on them. mine are smooth, worn & full of character,...sort of plain & humble, yet I insist that each one I find come home with me to be displayed in my hubby's grandfather's tool box-sans-display shelf now hanging in our dining room....my goodness what's wrong with us?
xoxox your collection is so sweet ~
L

Kim said...

I think you are a long way from being featured on Hoarders. Love those tops and the little history lesson. But if "part 3" of this series of collectibles features anything like Tupperware lids or bread bag tags, I'm calling that Hoarders show!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Robin ~
What a cool collection! Something in all my travels that I've never noticed. Now I'll be on the lookout...lol!
Thanks so much for the history lesson and sharing!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Mugwump Woolies said...

What a tale you have spun for all of us! Those little striped lovelies make my heart race with their fine patina...and the red ones, simply for their color. Great fun!
Robyn

Unknown said...

I think that is fascinating! I wonder why so many cultures have them? Did they pass on the ideas or did they all just say, "Hey! That spins!" Which one is the most common type or do you recommend as a good starting place to collect as a beginner? They are beautiful! Thank you for the information!!!!

Prims By The Water said...

Oh I so love all of your tops. What a wonderful collection! If yoou ever need to stop being a hoarder...you can send these beauts my way! Take care, Janice

prims by olde lady morgan said...

I will NOT start collecting these... I will NOT start collecting these...MMMM... I wonder if I will find them on ebay...LOL... great collection! OLM

Cindi said...

Loved the history lesson and love your tops! Thank you for sharing.
Be blessed,
Cindi

marly said...

I've never seen these anywhere and wouldn't have known what they were! I played Jacks continuously and now at 61, want to buy a paddle ball. ???? These little delights are wonderful to view and the striped are my favorite. Please continue showing us your treasures.

~The Boyd Homestead Farm~ said...

What a wonderful collection and I sure learned something today!! You have my interest peaked now to look out for some like you have :) Have a wonderful week !!

Hugs, Trish

Lois--Huckleberry Lady said...

I just had the metal top!! But your the tops!!!!

Lois

Shirlee said...

Oh my! You have the most interesting collections! I remember playing with tops when I was a little girl : ) Loved seeing all of yours!

Trace4J said...

What a cool collection.
I love them. Ive never seen them before. I think you may have started something here. :)
Joy
Trace


www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

bettyj said...

What a delightful collection. You have some beautiful ones and I enjoyed seeing them.

Me and My Stitches said...

What a neat and unique collection. These are really cool and definitely not something found in a Hoarders house!

Robyn ♥ said...

This is such a fun collection! I love how you displayed them all! I must show hubby this, he's gonna love it!

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

Hi, Robyn~
what a neat collection~ they are pretty sitting in the jar~
smiles
Teresa

The Moonlit Stitch said...

So cool Robin! I can hear the children's laughter while I'm looking at your pics! ~*~Lisa

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

I love seeing what people collect ~ Oh no I'm seeing a new addiction! lol ~ Thanks!!!
So love the way you display your wonderful collection.
Great history too!
Prim Blessings
Robin

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Great collection, Robin!

Hey chickadee, stop on by.....
winner..
winner....
chicken....
dinner.......!!!

xx

Janet-Olde Crow Primitives said...

Amazing collection! How unique!
Janet

frontporchprims said...

Your're so cool Robin. Someday, when I grow up. I want to be just like you:) -Steph-

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

That's quite a collection and it was interesting reading about the origins. It makes you wonder who had them before, doesn't it? So cool!

Blessings,
Tammy

Anonymous said...

It must be so enjoyable for people to visit your home, so interesting, every nook and cranny filled with curiousities, I love it, thius collection is beautifulk such history, and the thing that makes it all so much more interesting is the fact you research and really know your collections, I will keep my eye (my good eye) on the look out for tops fopr you, if I find any I will send them to you!

Suzanne said...

Oh, I absolutely LOVE your obsession, uhmmm, collection of tops! Just something about old, worn wood with a purpose. Thus, my latest obsession with shoe lasts and forms. Love the history lesson too!

Lil Raggedy Angie said...

Holy Crow ...thats some top hoarding you got going on there :0) ...Love them and honestly have never seen anything like them ...and your always so awesome at giving great info when you post ...your just the best thats why I love ya ! :0) hugs lil raggedyangie