Hetchel

Object/Artifact

-

Saco Museum

Name/Title

Hetchel

Entry/Object ID

2024.5.1

Description

Hetchel. The metal comb teeth are mounted directly on its backing board. [VERIFY] At one end of the board is a round metal loop for hanging. Given the spacing of the metal prongs, this would probably be considered a coarse hetchel.

Made/Created

Date made

1750 - 1850

Dimensions

Height

4-1/4 in

Width

3-3/4 in

Length

13-1/2 in

Material

painted wood and metal

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

Hetchels, also known as hackles or heckles, were used to prepare flax for spinning. Bunches of flax were drawn through a series of one to three combs graduated from coarse to fine. In the process, any remaining hard pieces or gum were separated from the fibers and longer fibers were separated from the tow (short fibers).