Learning through objects from the Islington Education Library Service’s handling collection
Diabolo, Victorian, Original
The Diabolo is a juggling toy that a child can play with either alone or with a friend who catches and returns the spool. The two sticks of the toy act as handles. They are made out of turned wood. A hole has been bored through the top of each stick. A length of thin red string passes through both the holes and is tied around the stick. Above the hole a turned pointed cap prevents the string from falling over the edge of the top of the stick.
At the bottom of the stick the wood tapers off into a fine point. When the handle is held, the point digs into the palm of the hand, giving stability to any actions the juggler makes while in play. The spool itself is a turned wooden length of wood with a narrow central waist. Two wheel shapes are attached to each end of the spool to enable it to roll, and to add balance and spin.
To play the game the waist of the spool is positioned on the string. By putting a stick in each hand and activating the string the spool can be balanced, revolved, thrown up into the air and caught again, with practice.
At the bottom of the stick the wood tapers off into a fine point. When the handle is held, the point digs into the palm of the hand, giving stability to any actions the juggler makes while in play. The spool itself is a turned wooden length of wood with a narrow central waist. Two wheel shapes are attached to each end of the spool to enable it to roll, and to add balance and spin.
To play the game the waist of the spool is positioned on the string. By putting a stick in each hand and activating the string the spool can be balanced, revolved, thrown up into the air and caught again, with practice.
Handles Length:33cm Diabolo Length:13.7cm
Handles Length:33cm Diabolo Length:13.7cm
The Diabolo is a juggling toy that a child can play with either alone or with a friend who catches and returns the spool. The two sticks of the toy act as handles. They are made out of turned wood. A hole has been bored through the top of each stick. A length of thin red string passes through both the holes and is tied around the stick. Above the hole a turned pointed cap prevents the string from falling over the edge of the top of the stick.
At the bottom of the stick the wood tapers off into a fine point. When the handle is held, the point digs into the palm of the hand, giving stability to any actions the juggler makes while in play. The spool itself is a turned wooden length of wood with a narrow central waist. Two wheel shapes are attached to each end of the spool to enable it to roll, and to add balance and spin.
To play the game the waist of the spool is positioned on the string. By putting a stick in each hand and activating the string the spool can be balanced, revolved, thrown up into the air and caught again, with practice.
At the bottom of the stick the wood tapers off into a fine point. When the handle is held, the point digs into the palm of the hand, giving stability to any actions the juggler makes while in play. The spool itself is a turned wooden length of wood with a narrow central waist. Two wheel shapes are attached to each end of the spool to enable it to roll, and to add balance and spin.
To play the game the waist of the spool is positioned on the string. By putting a stick in each hand and activating the string the spool can be balanced, revolved, thrown up into the air and caught again, with practice.
