Yo-Yo Spinner Toy Wood Hand-carved Pull String Horse Head Tribal West Timor

Description

C1081 – The Timorese have done it again, using what little resources they have available they have created this unique and innovative spinner toy. I am unable to post a video stream so that I can show you this toy in action.

It is set in motion by pulling the string and then, as with a Yo-yo, letting it go slack just before the the string unfurls completely, at which time the shaft spins in the opposite direction taking the string up again. The shaft and ‘propeller’ on top spins faster as you get into the rhythm and balance of the motion.

Hand-carved from the central highlands of West Timor from red cedarwood that has been rubbed with siri sticks dipped in lime powder to create this beautifully aged burgundy look. The toy is decorated with a horse head and helicopter blades’ and a little Timorese drum on the pull string.

30cm high x 18cm wide

12″ high x 7″ wide

310g / 10.9oz

If you wish to gather multiple treasures this website and shop cart should allow for it. If not, I will contact you to find the most economical way to send your treasures to you.

International clients are welcome. Aus Post has returned the international 250gr small parcel. This is great news. YAY! A true shame that they have not done so for domestic.

I am Julie and have been collecting Timorese Treasures in the field since 1990 when I won a prize for overseas travel in a pub in Darwin [true]. I had no idea at the time that I had stumbled upon an Aladdin’s cave of authentic traditional tribal textiles and treasures. I have been returning annually ever since [well most years] and been witness to many changes across the last 3 decades.

Clearly none of us are sure what will happen post COVID, but I do know that the villagers, carvers and weavers up in the mountains will be grateful when some outside dollars comes into their informal/circular economy. Therefore, every purchase you choose to make with me will benefit the Atoni [people of West Timor] as soon as I can get back there.

NOTE: We use recycled packaging.

I distribute reading glasses and nutritious food seeds as the soil in the western half of Timor is very poor and water a precious resource. Please contact me if you wish to contribute.