Yarn Reel1830–185039 1/4 × 16 × 26 1/8"Paint on woodEva and Morris Feld Folk Art Acquisition Fund1981.12.10015226392Artist unidentifiedTools and EquipmentThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain. United StatesConnecticutThree Dimensional WorksYarn reels of this type were produced in Connecticut until the home manufacture of woven textiles was made obsolete except in the most rural areas bythe advent of industrialization. The large quantities of yarn needed for home production created a demand for a type of device which would wind the yarn into consistent skeins for later use in knitting and weaving. Many of these reels indicated when a measured skein had been wound such as a gear, pin and wooden spring that would click when the skein was finished. By 1850, home production had decreased substantially and reels of this type were no longer necessary. The Connecticut reels often had a vase-shaped splat to which the clicking device was attached. The maker of this piece has transformed that basic vase shape into a decorated human figure.The large quantities of yarn typically needed in the period of home-produced textiles created a demand for a type of device that would wind the yarn into consistent skeins for later use in knitting and weaving. Yarn reels were used until the home manufacture of woven textiles was rendered obsolete by commercial goods. Many of these reels indicated when a skein had been wound by means of a weasel—a contraption of a gear, pin, or wooden spring—that would click when the round was finished. The circumference of the reel was about six-and-a-half feet, and one knot equaled forty threads, or rounds. This knot was marked until there were ten knots, or one skein. Connecticut reels often had a vase-shaped splat to which the weasel was attached. The maker of this piece transformed the basic vase into a decorated human figure. By 1850, home production had decreased substantially, and reels of this type were no longer necessary.Yarn reels were used until the home manufacture of woven textiles was rendered obsolete by commercial production. The large quantities of yarn typically needed by the homemaker created a demand for a device that would measure and wind yarn into consistent skeins for later use in knitting and weaving. Many reels indicated when a skein was complete by means of a weasel – a contraption of a gear, pin, or wooden spring that would click when the round was finished (hence the phrase “pop goes the weasel”). The circumference of the reel was about six and a half feet. Forty rounds equaled one knot, and ten knots equaled one skein. Reels made in Connecticut often had a vase-shaped splat to which the weasel was attached. The maker of this piece transformed the basic vase into a decorated human figure. By about 1850, home production had decreased substantially, and reels of this type were no longer necessary.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Yarn Reel," in American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 340.FURNITURE18301850 1981 12 10 Yarn reels of this type were produced in Connecticut until the home manufacture of woven textiles was made obsolete except in the most rural areas bythe advent of industrialization. The large quantities of yarn needed for home production created a demand for a type of device which would wind the yarn into consistent skeins for later use in knitting and weaving. Many of these reels indicated when a measured skein had been wound such as a gear, pin and wooden spring that would click when the skein was finished. By 1850, home production had decreased substantially and reels of this type were no longer necessary. The Connecticut reels often had a vase-shaped splat to which the clicking device was attached. The maker of this piece has transformed that basic vase shape into a decorated human figure.The large quantities of yarn typically needed in the period of home-produced textiles created a demand for a type of device that would wind the yarn into consistent skeins for later use in knitting and weaving. Yarn reels were used until the home manufacture of woven textiles was rendered obsolete by commercial goods. Many of these reels indicated when a skein had been wound by means of a weasel—a contraption of a gear, pin, or wooden spring—that would click when the round was finished. The circumference of the reel was about six-and-a-half feet, and one knot equaled forty threads, or rounds. This knot was marked until there were ten knots, or one skein. Connecticut reels often had a vase-shaped splat to which the weasel was attached. The maker of this piece transformed the basic vase into a decorated human figure. By 1850, home production had decreased substantially, and reels of this type were no longer necessary.Yarn reels were used until the home manufacture of woven textiles was rendered obsolete by commercial production. The large quantities of yarn typically needed by the homemaker created a demand for a device that would measure and wind yarn into consistent skeins for later use in knitting and weaving. Many reels indicated when a skein was complete by means of a weasel – a contraption of a gear, pin, or wooden spring that would click when the round was finished (hence the phrase “pop goes the weasel”). The circumference of the reel was about six and a half feet. Forty rounds equaled one knot, and ten knots equaled one skein. Reels made in Connecticut often had a vase-shaped splat to which the weasel was attached. The maker of this piece transformed the basic vase into a decorated human figure. By about 1850, home production had decreased substantially, and reels of this type were no longer necessary.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Yarn Reel," in American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 340.FURNITURE