Not currently on display at the V&A

Spinning Wheel

1600-1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A boudoir bobbin/flyer flax spinning wheel or turned sycamore and pine, partly-painted. Table mounted on four slightly splayed legs fitted to a rectangular base frame, supported on four small bun feet. The legs feature vase-form turning, with a pierced carved feature halfway up each leg. Above the table is a horizontal spindle turned frame supported on four pillars set into the table. The wheel is mounted on short posts off the frame, it has wooden rim with eight spokes and finials in between, both on the inside of the rim and on the hub. The wheel's rim has impressed roundels, and a metal insert, probably to give it more momentum. The table also features a gallery mounted on ten short pillars. The baluster work is partly painted to represent metal. Beneath the bridge are grooved supports for a box (now missing).

The treadle, footman, wheel pegs and top distaff are missing, and one leg is broken.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Carved and turned sycamore and pine, paper, flax, silk
Brief description
Spinning wheel, probably German, 1600-1700
Physical description
A boudoir bobbin/flyer flax spinning wheel or turned sycamore and pine, partly-painted. Table mounted on four slightly splayed legs fitted to a rectangular base frame, supported on four small bun feet. The legs feature vase-form turning, with a pierced carved feature halfway up each leg. Above the table is a horizontal spindle turned frame supported on four pillars set into the table. The wheel is mounted on short posts off the frame, it has wooden rim with eight spokes and finials in between, both on the inside of the rim and on the hub. The wheel's rim has impressed roundels, and a metal insert, probably to give it more momentum. The table also features a gallery mounted on ten short pillars. The baluster work is partly painted to represent metal. Beneath the bridge are grooved supports for a box (now missing).

The treadle, footman, wheel pegs and top distaff are missing, and one leg is broken.
Dimensions
  • Height: 78cm
  • Base width: 36.2cm
  • Base depth: 31.1cm
  • Wheel diameter: 23.5cm
Object history
Purchased by the Museum in 1903 from James Tregaskis, an antiquarian bookseller. Upon entry, it was thought the wheel was probably French and that it dated from the end of the 16th century. Mr Lehfeldt noted that a similar one appeared in Havard, Dictionnaire de l'ameublement, vol. IV p.779. The purchase was agreed because 'it is a very good example of ornamental turnery being almost entirely constructed from spindles of varying shapes'.
Collection
Accession number
1284-1903

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest