Argentina Trompo

Argentina – Buenos Aires (Plaza Dorrego)

This one was acquired by chance.

As always I asked the Concierge of the hotel for a place where I would be able to find local trompos. I was told to check the Feria de San Telmo, a massive, mile-long street fair and historic market. But it is in Plaza Dorrego, in an antiques shop, that I finally found this artisanal spinning top.

From the shape and how the nail is not centered, you can tell that this top was not made in a factory.

It is a traditional wooden spinning top painted with alternating red and white bands. The top shows clear signs of use, with wear on both the painted surface and nail tip, reflecting its role as a genuine toy rather than a decorative object. Its simple shape and bold colors are representative of the classic South American trompo tradition.