Hetchel
Fine Hetchel
The image depicts a vintage manual hetchel, which consists of a rectangular wooden base supporting a smaller leather block set with a dense array of sharp metal spikes. Although aged, with visible wear and a darkened patina hinting at its extensive use over time, the hetchel remains intact. This tool, steeped in history, is indicative of pre-industrial textile manufacturing practices, serving as an essential component for transforming raw flax stems into smooth, usable fibers. The simplicity and practicality of its design speak volumes about the ingenuity employed by earlier generations in crafting everyday tools for domestic and artisanal purposes.
Name/Title
HetchelEntry/Object ID
2017.01.02Description
Hetchel (fine). Some pins are missing, so it is not possible to establish how many pins per row. Pins are round and taper to a point.Use
Separating fibers from the stems of flax plants, in order to be processed into thread or yarn.Context
Before the Industrial Revolution, textiles were made by hand using relatively small, mostly wooden machines and tools powered by human labor.Collection
American Textile History Museum CollectionMade/Created
Artist
UnknownLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
HatchelNomenclature Primary Object Term
Comb, TextileNomenclature Sub-Class
Textile Manufacturing EquipmentNomenclature Class
Textileworking T&ENomenclature Category
Category 04: Tools & Equipment for MaterialsOther Names and Numbers
Other Names
Hackle
Hatchel