The puzzles were often exported in black lacquered boxes containing from nine to twenty puzzles held in position by a supporting structure made of cardboard covered either in blue silk or red paper. |
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In the past, ignorance as to the function of the puzzles has often led to their being broken, or to pieces being lost. So, over the next few months we will look at some of the individual items that were included in these compendiums; and end up with a leaflet that can be printed out to be left in these boxes; so that, in future, these beautiful puzzles can be enjoyed without damage. |
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In the United States these boxes were also known a Sunday Boxes, as in a puritanical society they were one of the few toys that children were allowed to play with on Sundays. | |||||||||||||
TANGRAM PUZZLE.
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Use all seven pieces to make different shapes. Try making each of a square, triangle, rhombus. Then try making each shape again with a hole the size of one of the pieces (e.g. A rhombus with a square hole).
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Often Tangram puzzles were accompanied by two xylographic books. One contained around 300 problems, and the other the solutions. Many modern books of Tangram problems are available. .Sometimes Tangram books were bound in ivory or mother-of-pearl covers. This example of a solution "book" is very rare as not only is it cased in ivory but the pages are also ivory. |
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