Description:
Comb for processing worsted wool fibers. The kinds of combs were used in pairs; one was hung stationary on a post and held the worsted fibers, while the user used another one, heated on a stove, to actively comb and sort out the longer fibers from the shorter ones. This example, which is missing its mate, was probably the one hung on the post, given the holes in the handle (perhaps through which a leather strap was fed to aid in hanging it). "P.Field" is stamped on the handle, suggesting its owner was Deacon Phineas Field of Charlemont, Massachusetts. Formerly in the collection of the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, it has been on view in PVMA's Domestic Room as "92 Worsted Combs Dea. Phinehas Field, Charlemont." The comb was found in the attic of Memorial Museum where it had been stored since at least 1916 and sold in 1967 at an auction to benefit PVMA.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/test/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+67.128 |
