Summary

Alternative Name(s): Alleys

Twelve clear glass marbles. Purchased from a Melbourne second-hand shop, 1981.

This collection of marbles is typical of contemporary, mass-produced marbles manufactured overseas and imported into Australia in the latter half of this century. This type of marble is common in Australian playgrounds and throughout the world. Most of these marbles are known as Cat's Eyes.

Marbles is an ancient game. Stone marbles have been found which date from 4000BC. The game can be found throughout the world, and there is a commonality in the way it is played which transcends cultural differences. It is one of the most familiar children's games in Australia. Marbles as playthings were first made from stone and clay, and later from glass which allowed colour to be added. This bag of marbles is typical of contemporary, mass-produced marbles manufactured overseas and imported into Australia in the latter half of the 20th century.

Part of the Australian Children's Folklore Collection, which is unique in Australia, documenting contemporary children's folklore across Australia and in other countries reaching back to the 1870s. The Collection has a strong component of research material relating to Victoria.

Physical Description

Twelve clear glass marbles with wavy coloured patterns inside. Eleven marbles are the same small size, one marble is larger. The larger marble has a yellow wave-pattern inside, nine small marbles have two or three colours inside and two small marbles have one colour inside - one red and the other light blue. The marbles are loose.

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