Summary

Alternative Name(s): Knucklebones Set, Game

Plastic 'Knuckleheads' knucklebones game set comprising six brightly-coloured plastic 'bones' with stylized faces, a cloth bag and instructions. The set is an example of contemporary Australian version of mass-produced plastic jacks which came onto the market in the 1990s. Moose Enterprises (aka Moose Toys) is an Australian-owned international company whose products include children's traditional games which are redesigned and presented for contemporary markets.

Jacks is an ancient game, dating back to prehistoric times. The first jacks were natural materials - animal bones, stones, seeds and shells, and when the game became a popular part of children's culture, manufacturers began mass-producing them from plastic and metal. In Australia, jacks are mostly shaped like sheep's knucklebones, but overseas there are also ceramic cubes and 'star'-shaped metal pieces.

The game was used as a prop in the 'House Secrets' exhibition at Scienceworks, 6 March 2006 to 14 July 2013. Most of the props for the exhibition were sourced from opportunity shops in 2002 and 2003 by curator Andi Horvarth and other Museum Victoria staff. 'House Secrets' aimed to 'Explore the science behind all the familiar things in our homes', presenting 'all sorts of wonderful things we might find around the home, from the food we eat, to the appliances we use, to the animals we share our living space with.' The exhibition was 'highly interactive'.

Physical Description

Commercially-made knucklebone jacks set, comprising six brightly-coloured plastic 'bones' with stylized faces; a striped green and red cloth bag with printed game motif and yellow drawstring; and small, 24-page full colour instruction booklet.

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