Spinning Top Spin Toy Wood Hand carved String Pull West Timor

Description

C580- The Timorese have done it again, creating these great string pull spinner spinning top toys, using what little resources they have.

Called GASSING and played by kids and adults alike and with hand carved wood and hand rolled string. By threading the thin piece of timber between the index and middle finger you rest the top in your hand and then engage in a whipping action drawing the hand back then forcing the top out of your hand in a forward motion retaining the string which you pull back on once it has reached its full extension.

The aim of the game, played on tile veranda’s in towns and hard packed dirt circles in villages, is to either knock out your opponent’s top or be the last top standing.

Finely balanced so that they spin for a fair while and Hand-made in the central highlands of West Timor.

8cm x 3.2″ long.

40g / 1.4oz.

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 and have to cover ebay’s fees as they include postage/freight costs in their final fee [16%] [go figure!]

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.