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Chinese Puzzle or Tangram
This puzzle supposedly dates from ancient China back to somewhere around 1000 BC -- or so the story goes. But, even if it isn't of such ancient lineage, we have seen patterns for it in books from the early 19th century on through to modern times. The puzzle is very simple in concept, consisting of five triangles of three different sizes, a square, and a parallelogram or rhombus. The player is presented with a silhouette and then tries to make the silhouette by using all the pieces but turning or positioning them at will. The first shape is usually a square and, if you look at the pictures, you can see how that is achieved. But the shapes become more complex as you progress. The puzzle comes in three different forms. The smallest is a set that comes in a box about 3 x 3 inches and about 3/4 inches thick (In the
first picture on the left hand side). The
There is also a larger set that isn't quite as convenient for tucking in your pocket but gives you a bit larger pieces to work with. It comes in a box like the other but is about 5 x 5 inches on a side and about 1 inch thick (see the set on the right side of the first picture). Like the smaller one, if comes with the bookelet mentioned above and its own solution sheet. Lastly, there is a set that comes with a carrying bag instead of a box. It makes a square about
the same
size as the large set mentioned above (5 1/4 inches square) but the individual pieces are thicker
For the documentation page for this toy, click here The prices for the Chinese Puzzles are: If you want to look at the next game alphabetically in the list,.
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pieces all fit in one layer for
storage and is very convenient for tucking in
a pocket. The set comes with a booklet we prepared (see the last picture) that gives
the legend behind the puzzle as well as 24
patterns (and solutions!) we found in sources from
before or during the civil war period as well as a sheet
from the manufacturer (only the sheet from the large set is shown in the
picture) with additional patterns, some of which are obviously modern.
(about 3/4 inches thick) and made
of a variety of hardwoods. The booklet on chinese puzzles accompanies the set. The cost is in the middle
between the smaller and larger boxed sets.