Number 1 Anchor stone puzzle, in box with book of patterns; Number 2 Stone puzzle, in box with book of patterns.

A tangram is a dissection puzzle of seven pieces, making either a square or rectangle. It is accompanied by a book of alternative designs in silhouette shape. Tangram puzzles were popular during the 19th and 20th centuries and during World War I were used by the troops as a diversion and relaxation. Tangrams were developed by the Chinese with the first documented evidence of the game appearing about 1813, but a similar puzzle, stomachion, was played with by the ancient Greeks using 14 pieces instead of seven.

Richter and Company in Germany produced sets of tangrams, employing a team of artists to prepare the designs. Richter developed a 'stone' material from Kaolin clay, linseed oil and sand. He used the same material for his toy building blocks.

Boterman, Jack [et al.] The World of games : their origins and history, how to play them, and how to make them, New York: Facts on File, c1989

Brandreth, Gyles. Everyman's indoor games, London: J.M. Dent, 1981

Hampshire Museum Service: Childhood collection. A brief history of toys: Games and puzzles

Powerhouse Museum Collections: Anchor puzzles

Rob's puzzle page: Tangrams and anchor stone puzzles

Two dimensional dissections: other tangram-like puzzles

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. To be a child August 2004-