Summary

This is a wooden, working spinning top made by Domenico Annetta at his home in Reservoir, Melbourne, about 1994.

It is one of a collection of ten hand-made items which also includes seven models of farming equipment Domenico Annetta used as a subsistence farmer in Calabria, Italy before migrating to Australia in 1960. Domenico made them as gifts for his children and grandchildren to show them the tools and daily items he used as a farmer. Domenico also crafted a small ship named Australia in reference to the ship that he and his family travelled on when they migrated.

Physical Description

Wood spinning top with metal tip, graduating grooves that hold in place a string which is used to pull, creating a forward energy that allows the top to spin on its metal tip. The top is solid wood but has a large conical crack on one side which has been secured in place with three small nails. A synthetic brown string included.

Significance

This toy forms part of a collection of models and other items made by Domenico Annetta. His beautifully hand crafted models represent the conscious efforts of a parent to create in miniature traditional agricultural practices from his homeland to demonstrate his former life in tangible form to his children and grandchildren. Not only do they capture life in rural Italy but also give materiality to migrant memories and experiences in a form that can be visualised. The collection is enhanced by other items made by Domenico and photographs of Domenico making the agricultural models and his life both in Italy and in Australia.

The History & Technology collection holds a large collection of agricultural models, primarily made by hobbyists and of a high technical standard, notably the Boyle collection. The collection also has a small number of hand-made models or miniatures relating to the migrant experience, such as the Vietnamese fishing boat models and miniature prosthetics and the Bazzara dolls furniture set. There are also items which migrants have made in Australia to demonstrate or continue artistic traditions such as the D'Aprano and Mazzarino woven baskets. This particular collection offers a different perspective - creative practice that documents in tangible form the agricultural practices and mementoes of a migrant's homeland and life before migration.

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