The Piece

Early 20th-Century Wooden Spinning Top c.1930s-50s
Hand-painted wood with steel tip
Likely Spanish origin

A traditional early 20th-century wooden spinning top, lathe-turned and hand-painted with concentric bands of red, yellow, green, and black. The faceted body features stamped lettering reading “TOMA 2,” indicating a size or model designation consistent with European toy production.

The form is balanced and compact, designed for repeated impact and skilled use. A steel tip is set into the base, providing durability and rotational stability. Surface wear reflects genuine play rather than decorative handling.

Product Details

→ Lathe-turned hardwood
→ Hand-painted with lacquer finish
→ Steel point
→ Stamped lettering: “TOMA 2”
→ Likely Spanish manufacture
→ Circa 1930–1950

Historical Context

Before plastic transformed toy production, wooden tops were among the most common children’s objects across Europe. Affordable, portable, and skill-based, they required no batteries, no assembly, and no supervision.

In Spain and Southern Europe, spinning tops were produced in small workshops and sold widely in local markets. Variations in size and decoration were often marked directly on the object, as seen here. These toys were meant to be used hard and replaced easily, which makes surviving examples increasingly uncommon.

Condition + Updates

Good vintage condition.

The top shows edge wear, paint loss, and surface patina consistent with age and play. The wooden stem remains intact, and the steel tip is secure. No modern repairs or alterations are observed.

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This object holds motion, not nostalgia.

It works as a sculptural accent on shelves, desks, or within a curated grouping of folk or utilitarian objects. Its worn surface and vivid color bands offer contrast against both modern and traditional interiors. More than decoration, it represents play as a physical, communal act—something increasingly absent from contemporary life.

From Viridian Eclection

Viridian Eclection curates objects shaped by use, repetition, and human touch. This spinning top survives not because it was saved, but because it endured.