This Saxony-style flax wheel is fashioned of wood, with small leather parts. It was probably made in the 18th century, possibly in Genoa, New York. Family records trace ownership of the wheel as far back as Mary Shaw, of Genoa, who was born in 1813. However, a study of the wheel's construction indicates it may have been made before Mary was born. Mary Shaw died in 1903. The wheel was given to the Museum by one of her descendants.
Spinning is the simple act of drawing out a few fibers and twisting them together to form a yarn. The process predates written history, and was first done by hand and with sticks. Spinning wheels are believed to have originated in India between 500 and 1000 A.D. By the 13th century, they were seen in Europe, and were a standard piece of equipment for those making fiber into yarn. By the 17th century they were commonly found in homes in the colonies of North America, where the production of fabric was a cottage industry. Spinning was generally seen as a woman's job. Women spun yarn at home, as well as with friends at spinning bees, where food was served and prizes might be given to the person who produced the most or best yarn. The industrial revolution brought mechanization to the textile industry, and eventually spinning was done on large machines in textile mills.
This blown and molded square-shaped glass bottle has a narrow neck and flared lip. The bottle has a baked white enamel label framed in blue and red, and surrounded by a gold and brown escutcheon. The label is marked ESS TFRIFOL FIBR in black text. The first initial of each word is painted red. This bottle would have contained Essence of Trifolium fiber. The Trifolium genus of plants contains a variety of clovers used in different medications that were prescribed as aperients, deobstruents, stomachics, diuretics, and diaphoretics.
