Wooden tambura toy

Historians believe that the first items created as souvenirs were miniature reed instruments such as whistles and horns. As these were purchased for children, artisans expanded their range of designs to include objects like horses and carts, flapping birds, and spinning tops. There were once as many as 120 different toy forms. Today, about 50 styles are still being made. These include the older styles like horses, donkeys, wagons and carts, and doll furniture, as well as modern objects like cars, trucks, airplanes, and trains. Those created in the form of miniature musical instruments can actually be tuned and played. For many Croatian children, the mini-instruments from Hrvatsko Zagorje are their first introduction to the country’s rich folk music traditions.