Historical information

The spinning wheel was owned by Amy Penfold (donor Jan Dawson's mother) who presumably purchased the spinning wheel in the 1930s at an antiques auction. Amy lent the spinning wheel to her friends who spun (as Amy could not spin herself) In Yass, New South Wales during the early years of the Second World War. Amy's friends would spin lightly scoured semi greasy wool worked into yarn and knitted into particularly warm and water-resistant socks for sailors on minesweepers serving during the Second World War.
Jan received the wheel in the early 1960s after her mother past away at which time the wheel was no longer operable. When Jan came to live in Melbourne, she sought the assistance of Spinners and Handweavers who assisted her in creating a new bobbin and restored the broken pieces of the wheel back into working order which we find it in today. With the loom are three bobbins. One bobbin is attached to the loom while of the two loose bobbins; one is a reproduction and one is an original. From these two the differences in construction can be observed.

Physical description

Large 12 spokes pinning wheel finished in dark tinted varnish on wood. Ornate upright posts.Additional two bobbins. One original and slightly damaged other is a reproduction and in excellent condition.