Hello, I recently bought a spinning wheel which I realise is of no value because it is missing the flyer assembly. However, I was drawn to the wheel itself and would love to have some idea of its age.
The spinning wheel does seem to me to be very old and worn, albeit with a new cord enabling the treadle to work and a lighter block of wood inserted into the post at the front. Given the variations between each spindle, as well as between each leg, and the fact that the dowels around the rim of the wheel itself are not perfect circles, I think it must be handmade. The two struts at the top, with holes into which some of the flyer assembly must have been inserted, do, however, look more uniform. (I am puzzled because although I wonder if these two 'bars' are later additions, the colour does not vary at all from the rest of the wheel.) The third 'projection', with a broken-off stump, does appear to be in keeping with the rest of the wheel.
The height of what remains of the spinning wheel is about 68 cm whilst the actual wheel itself is about 40 cm in diameter. I have been unable to find images of a comparable wheel with quite such a wide surround into which the spokes are inserted. (The rim/surround is 9cm wide and the spindles 8cm in length.)
I would be so interested if anyone knows what period it might date to and/or tell me more about it. Many thanks!
Re: Upright Spinning Wheel
Wheels of this type tend to be European Imports and handmade, which makes dating them accurately difficult as they were made in such the same manner right into the early 20th century in rural European and Eastern Europe. Some were brought over with Immigrants during the mid to late 1800's, others imported in container loads by Antique dealers during the then booming antique market in North America.
Re: Upright Spinning Wheel
Hello, thank you very much for your response. I appreciate your help. I should have specified that I am in the UK and bought it at a scrapyard where they sell off random furniture from house and office clearances. I was therefore just assuming that it is English. Does that narrow it down more? Apologies for not having thought to include that information.