What exactly is a Chinese puzzle ball?

Question:

What exactly is a Chinese puzzle ball?

i have a jade chinese puzzle ball, and its very pretty, a very nice display. but what exactly are they? whats the purpose? whats the history? does it have a purpose other that for looks? does it have a history or story?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The ones I have known of actually has moving parts, have you tried to move it? They are like an inside out rubics cube. If you get to the center there is a surprize.