Spinning Wheel

Great Wheel: The image depicts an antique spinning wheel situated in an indoor setting, likely part of a museum or historical exhibit. The spinning wheel features a large, wooden wheel supported by a simple wooden frame with a spindle extending horizontally. It rests on a wooden bench with angled legs, adding to its rustic appearance. In the background, there's a polished wooden staircase with banisters, enhancing the historical ambiance of the space. Several pieces of furniture, including a wooden table and a framed piece on the wall, can be seen nearby, contributing to the vintage theme. Additionally, a basket with unspun wool rests on a table behind the spinning wheel. The wool is connected to the spindle with a taut thread, illustrating the wheel's purpose in traditional yarn production.
Great Wheel

The image depicts an antique spinning wheel situated in an indoor setting, likely part of a museum or historical exhibit. The spinning wheel features a large, wooden wheel supported by a simple wooden frame with a spindle extending horizontally. It rests on a wooden bench with angled legs, adding to its rustic appearance. In the background, there's a polished wooden staircase with banisters, enhancing the historical ambiance of the space. Several pieces of furniture, including a wooden table and a framed piece on the wall, can be seen nearby, contributing to the vintage theme. Additionally, a basket with unspun wool rests on a table behind the spinning wheel. The wool is connected to the spindle with a taut thread, illustrating the wheel's purpose in traditional yarn production.

Name/Title

Spinning Wheel

Entry/Object ID

2017.01.10

Description

Great wheel. Horizontal spindle, painted red. Early 19th century. Rectangular table rests on three splayed legs. Slanted wheel post fits through table. Drive wheel has ten spokes and a flat rim constructed in two sections. The metal drive wheel axle fits through the wheel post. The slanted spindle post, set into the table, holds the incomplete accelerating head. The threaded iron tensioning rod fits through the lower part of the spindle post and into the table. It is adjusted by an iron thumb screw on one side of the post and a threaded piece of metal on the other. Original red paint. Edges of table beveled.

Use

Spinning fiber (especially wool) into thread or yarn.

Context

Preindustrial textile technology.

Collection

American Textile History Museum Collection

Made/Created

Artist

Unknown

Date made

circa 1800 - circa 1850

Time Period

19th Century

Place

* Untyped Place

USA

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Wheel, Spinning

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Textile Manufacturing Equipment

Nomenclature Class

Textileworking T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 04: Tools & Equipment for Materials

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

ATHM

Other Number

1991.178.13

Dimensions

Height

61-1/4 in

Depth

15-1/2 in

Length

51 in

Material

Wood, Ferrous metal, Red paint

Location

Location

Exhibit Room

Bev York Room

* Untyped Location

Main Museum Building

Category

Exhibit

Date

April 4, 2025

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Date Examined

Apr 4, 2025

Provenance

Provenance Detail

In 1991 the object was donated to the American Textile History Museum by Joan Cummer.

Role

Collector, handspinner

Place

State/Province

New Hampshire

* Untyped Place

New England

Acquisition Method

Donation, ATHM

Acquisition Date

2017

Created By

historian@millmuseum.org

Create Date

April 4, 2025

Updated By

historian@millmuseum.org

Update Date

April 4, 2025