Tools
Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America
1800-1900
Oak; Iron
2015.0028.001 Q
Object Number2015.0028.001 Q |
Tool (for textiles) (Treadle)
Tools
Museum purchase with funds provided by Mrs. Jeanne L. Asplundh
Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America
Possibly Berks, Bucks, Montgomery, or Lebanan Counties
1800-1900
Oak; Iron
1.75 (H) , 46.5 (L) , 2.75 (W)
4.445 (H) , 118.11 (L) , 6.985 (W)
This is part of a shaft loom that was made in the late eighteenth century in Southeastern Pennsylvania and used there for over two hundred years. It is one of two oak treadles used to control the shafts on the loom. When the weaver stepped on the treadle, it would cause half of the threads in the warp to be lifted, allowing the weaver to easily slide a shuttle between them. This treadle is heavily worn, showing decades of use. The iron chain that would have connected it to the shafts has been broken.
[Book] Pritchard, M. E. 1954 A Short Dictionary of Weaving: Including Some Spinning, Dyeing and Textile Terms and a Beginner's Guide to Weaving and Dyeing. 196.
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