Saxony style Flax Spinning Wheel; early 19th C.?
Saxony style Flax Spinning Wheel; early 19th C.?
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- Early 19th century Saxony style flax spinning wheel. (distaff may have been separated from the wheel. This type of wheel, with treadle and distaff, is more complex than the great wheel, as the drawing, spinning, and winding are made simultaneous by means of the flyer and bobbin attachment to the spindle. The distaff on the standard at the opposite end of the frame from the wheel, has been evenly covered with prepared flax fiber--untangled and parallel and a ribbon tied loosely abound it to keep it in good order. Treadle?, the foot is used as poser, and the hands are free to draw out and guide the fiber to the spindle. While best adapted for spinning flax, wool or cotton can be spun upon it, but from rolls of carded material fed by hand directly to the spindle. The initials R.C. are stenciled on the frame. The Distaff is made from a tree branch with twigs pulled together and tied at top to form the cage.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- spinning wheel; flax
- spinning wheel
- flax
- date made
- early 19th century
- Measurements
- distaff: 17 1/2 in x 3 1/8 in; 44.45 cm x 7.874 cm
- overall: 35 1/4 in x 18 1/4 in; 89.535 cm x 46.355 cm
- ID Number
- TE.T06876.000
- catalog number
- T06876.000
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. Daniel Gardner
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Textiles
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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