Spinning Top Collection

Spinning tops, skittles, and other games of the Babki region, Russia, 18th century
FLO4624907 Spinning tops, skittles, and other games of the Babki region, Russia, 18th century. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Giarre and Stanghi from Giulio Ferrario's Costumes Ancient

Humorous cat postcard (colour litho)
8643344 Humorous cat postcard (colour litho) by Thiele, Carl Robert Arthur (1860-1936); Private Collection; (add.info.: Humorous cat postcard)

Academic figures of men, 1646 (Etching)
7393347 Academic figures of men, 1646 (Etching) by Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606-69); 19, 5 x 12, 9 cm; Fondation Glenat, Grenoble, France; (add.info.: In the background)

Women working in a spinning mill, 1880, Germany
7279577 Women working in a spinning mill, 1880, Germany by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Women working in a spinning mill, 1880, Germany, Historic)

The Dance, c. 1750 (oil on canvas)
5859596 The Dance, c.1750 (oil on canvas) by Longhi, Pietro (c.1701-85); The Art Institute of Chicago, IL, USA; (add.info.: Pietro Longhi (c.1701-85))

The Top, from The Games of the Urchins of Paris, 1770. Creator: Jean Baptiste Tilliard
The Top, from The Games of the Urchins of Paris, 1770

A Young Shepherdess Spinning (red & white chalk and charcoal on paper)
XHC220066 A Young Shepherdess Spinning (red & white chalk and charcoal on paper) by Millet, Jean-Francois (1814-75); 25x30 cm; Musee d Art Thomas Henry, Cherbourg, France

Woman of Scandinavia, 16th century. 1859-1860 (engraving)
7234002 Woman of Scandinavia, 16th century. 1859-1860 (engraving) by Krieger, Christoph (d.c.1590); Private Collection; (add.info.: Woman of Scandinavia, 16th century)

Woman of the Island of Grenada, 16th century. 1859-1860 (engraving)
7233989 Woman of the Island of Grenada, 16th century. 1859-1860 (engraving) by Krieger, Christoph (d.c.1590); Private Collection; (add.info.: Woman of the Island of Grenada, 16th century)

Quechua women of Peru, 16th century. 1859-1860 (engraving)
7234156 Quechua women of Peru, 16th century. 1859-1860 (engraving) by Krieger, Christoph (d.c.1590); Private Collection; (add.info.: Quechua women of Peru, 16th century)

They took Sides in Playing with their Tops (engraving)
7165802 They took Sides in Playing with their Tops (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: They took Sides in Playing with their Tops)

The Top of his Profession (engraving)
7164401 The Top of his Profession (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Top of his Profession)

Childrens games: Peg-top (engraving)
7193454 Childrens games: Peg-top (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Peg-top. Illustration for The Childrens Treasure (Simpkin, Marshall)

Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Toupie; Peg-top; Kreisel (engraving)
7197772 Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Toupie; Peg-top; Kreisel (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Toupie; Peg-top; Kreisel)

Young Indians playing with a spinning top, from the book "Trujillo del Peru"
AIS5347492 Young Indians playing with a spinning top, from the book " Trujillo del Peru" or " CAodice MartAinez CompaAnAon", by Baltazar Martinez CompaAnAon y Bujanda

Nursery
LLM460544 Nursery by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Nursery. Illustration for Warnes Picture Puzzle Toy Book (c 1880). Note cut-outs stuck onto pictures

Game of Spinning Tops; Le jeu de toupies, c. 1924 (oil on canvas)
1197578 Game of Spinning Tops; Le jeu de toupies, c.1924 (oil on canvas) by Dinet, Alphonse Etienne (1861-1929); 81x100 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; French, out of copyright

Portrait of Thomas Allason (oil on canvas)
878295 Portrait of Thomas Allason (oil on canvas) by Alleyne, Francis (fl.1774-90) (circle of); 64.1x54 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Children taking toys out of wooden chest, New Year Card (chromolitho)
730815 Children taking toys out of wooden chest, New Year Card (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Children taking toys out of wooden chest)

Little Child From Maine, 1846 (oil on canvas)
2652565 Little Child From Maine, 1846 (oil on canvas) by Prior, William Matthew (1806-73); 91.4x73.7 cm; Shelburne Museum, Vermont, USA; eShelburne Museum; Gift of Dr. and Mrs

Spinning top (chromolitho)
1093814 Spinning top (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Spinning top. French educational card, late 19th or early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Childs Top, c. 1939. Creator: Fritz Boehmer
Childs Top, c. 1939

EyeUbiquitous_20100298
Malaysia, Kualau Lumpur, Night shoot of Kuala Lumpurs city center with Petronas Towers Skyscrapers dominating skyline

Tops. Creator: Shibata Zeshin
Tops

Childrens Games (Kinderspiele), 1560 (oil on panel)
XIR68945 Childrens Games (Kinderspiele), 1560 (oil on panel) by Bruegel, Pieter the Elder (c.1525-69); 118x161 cm; Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria; Flemish, out of copyright

Boy Drawing at a Table
BAL52804 Boy Drawing at a Table by Mercier, Philippe (1689-1760); Rafael Valls Gallery, London, UK; French, out of copyright

The Duke of Osuna and his Family, 1788 (oil on canvas)
XIR38631 The Duke of Osuna and his Family, 1788 (oil on canvas) by Goya y Lucientes, Francisco Jose de (1746-1828); 225x174 cm cm; Prado, Madrid, Spain; Spanish, out of copyright

Childrens Games, 1810 (coloured engraving)
XIR178905 Childrens Games, 1810 (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris, France; French, out of copyright

Child with a Teetotum, 1738 (oil on canvas)
XIR178904 Child with a Teetotum, 1738 (oil on canvas) by Chardin, Jean-Baptiste Simeon (1699-1779); 67x76 cm; Louvre, Paris

Russia, The game of the spinning top, engraving 19th century, Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs (Library)

Hittite civilization, Relief portraying two young people playing with spinning top, From Carchemish, Turkey
Hittite civilization, 9th-8th century b.C. Relief portraying two young people playing with a spinning top. From Carchemish, Turkey

Spinning top. This toy plays music when spun by pulling the blue handle (top) up and then pushing it back down to its starting position

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"Spinning Top: A Timeless Toy Across Cultures and Centuries" From academic figures of men in 1646 to women working in a spinning mill in 1880 Germany, the spinning top has captivated people throughout history. Its allure can be seen in various art forms, such as "The Dance, " an oil on canvas masterpiece from around 1750, and Jean Baptiste Tilliard's depiction of "The Top" in his work "The Games of the Urchins of Paris" from 1770. Not limited to adults or specific regions, the spinning top transcends boundaries. Even a young shepherdess found solace and entertainment while spinning her top with red and white chalk on paper. Engravings from different eras showcase women from Scandinavia, Grenada, and Peru engaging with this timeless toy. Whether it was for leisure or competition, tops brought joy to both genders. As depicted in engravings like "They took Sides in Playing with their Tops, " individuals would gather together to spin their tops and engage in friendly rivalries. The skillful mastery over this simple object could even elevate one's status professionally – as shown by the engraving titled "The Top of his Profession. " Children were not exempt from enjoying this classic plaything either. Engravings featuring children playing peg-top highlight its popularity among younger generations. In fact, educational materials like Le Vocabulaire Illustre included illustrations showcasing different types of tops - toupie; peg-top; kreisel - ensuring that future generations would continue to appreciate these delightful toys. As we reflect on these historical depictions spanning centuries and cultures, it becomes clear that the spinning top is more than just a toy – it is a symbol of shared experiences across time and space.