Summary
Note: This object includes elements appropriated from Chinese culture and heritage. Such cultural appropriation is not condoned by Museums Victoria which considers it to be inappropriate, even racist. Historical distance and context do not excuse or erase this fact.
Chinese Star Checkers game, made by John Sands Pty Ltd, circa 1940 - 1942. It was given 'To Esther and Merle, For Xmas 1942. From Auntie Edie'. The game includes coloured wooden pieces instead of the original marbles - indicated by a box with the game labelled 'CONTENTS 60 MARBLES'.
Physical Description
Chinese Star Checkers game comprising: Playing surface - cardboard base which fits inside box bottom, consisting of a series of large holes in the shape of a hexagonal star. Around the edge are illustrations of chinese subjects. 60 small wooden cylinders, 10 each: blue, green, pink, brown, yellow and white. These are the playing pieces, one colour for each player. The cylinders are placed in the holes on the playing surface. Small cardboard box for playing pieces. The bottom of the box (.4) has a piece of paper attached which reads "Chinese STAR/CHECKERS/CONTENTS/60 MARBLES". Box lid of game, features a picture of a dragon and reads "Chinese/STAR/CHECKERS/A/Game /from the/Orient/for/All Ages" Underside of lid has rules for playing Chinese Checkers and details of manufacturer box bottom.
More Information
-
Collection Names
Aldred Collection, South Melbourne Oral History Project Collection
-
Collecting Areas
-
Acquisition Information
Donation from Mrs M. E. Aldred, Jan 1990
-
Manufacturer
John Sands Pty Ltd, Sydney, Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1940-1942
-
Place & Date Used
Albert Park, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1942 or later
-
Inscriptions
Written in fountain pen on box bottom: "To Esther and Merle, / For Xmas 1942. / From Auntie Edie".
-
Classification
-
Category
-
Discipline
-
Type of item
-
overall dimensions
31.8 cm (Length), 20 cm (Width), 31.8 cm (Height)
-
Keywords
Games, Play, Toys, Cultural Stereotypes, Chinese Communities, Christmas, Celebrations