1991.178.103 - Spinning Wheel, Vertical, Double Bobbin and Flyer

1991.178.103 - Spinning Wheel, Vertical, Double Bobbin and Flyer

Spinning equipment

1991.178.103

Spinning wheel; vertical with wheel above two bobbin/flyer units, treadle. A rectangular table, resting on four splayed legs, has a central post set into a slot. The treadle board is set into a pivoting bar between two legs. A cord connects the treadle to the drive wheel axle. A crossbar, perpendicular to the central post, holds a short second wheel post. The wheel has ten spokes and the rim, with two grooves is constructed of four sections. Two parallel wooden rods connect the two mothers-of-all through a wooden block. This block fits into a track in the central post and moves up and down a threaded rod set into the table. A three-piece distaff assembly is also set into upper crossbar.

overall: horizontal 17 in. x vertical 43 in. x depth 17 in.

wood, metal

early to mid-19th century

United States

Excellent; branch distaff probably not original.

Distaff upright, cross arm and distaff were found on object but were not in photograph in Cummer's book; also, footman shown in photo not present. #103 in Cummer's book.

Joan Whittaker Cummer, A Book of Spinning Wheels (Portsmouth, NH : Peter E. Randall Publisher, 1994), p. 224-225. Photo and brief essay on spinning wheel.