Description:
Flax wheels were used to spin flax fibers into yarn suitable for weaving. They are also known as low wheels, Dutch wheels, saxony wheels, Brunswick wheels, or bobbin-flyer wheels. Flax spinning and linen weaving were important household industries in early European settlements of the American northeast until well into the 19th century. This example features a wedged table with a beaded edge and chip carving. Heavily turned. Possibly retains its original flyer bobbin. It is missing its distaff, and has an improvided distaff top. Two bands would have come off the wheel, which has 16 spokes. Oil stains (from oiling the axel) are visible on the wheel supports.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+73.041 |
