Object number
52/193
Description
A distaff, a tool used in spinning before the invention of spinning wheels. It holds the unspun fibres, keeping them untangled.
A distaff, a tool used in spinning before the invention of spinning wheels. It holds the unspun fibres, keeping them untangled.
Physical description
1 distaff: wood (mahogany); good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘… // DATE ACQUIRED: // GROUP: // NEGATIVE: // PERIOD: // PLACE OF ORIGIN: // NUMBER: // DESCRIPTION: …‘ Long before the invention of the spinning wheel, spinning was done by means of a distaff and spindle. The distaff is the rod that holds a bunch of carded wool or flax and its bottom end was usually placed in the spinner's girdle, leaving both her hands free to work the material. She drew the thread out and secured the further end to the spindle. It is then spun swiftley with a dexterous twist, until there is a close compressed twist between the spindle, or stops it against her skirt or foot, and at the same time she releases her finger and thumb, so that the twist runs up the spare wool she has eased out and anothrer length of thread is ready for winding onto the spindle. //
Object name
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