Historical information

Skein holder is from c1890-1900 and used by four generations of the donor's family who lived around Woori Yallock and Yellingbo. Donor's family descended from settler John Douthie (1831-1897), his son Andrew Douthie married Jessie Sands Smith (1875 - 1948).

Item believed to have been owned by Jessie who passed it on to her fourth child, Mary, who passed it to her child Lillian who passed it to her daughter Leanne, the donor.

No makers mark on item. Mary worked as a teacher and sewing mistress at Woori Yallock Primary School and used the item in her personal time to make clothing for the family.

Physical description

An umbrella-style wooden skein holder with a metal clamp at the base to allow it to attach to a table or similar. When not in use, item is small and compact, however once unfolded the arms extend out in an umbrella shape with thin timber rods bound together with leather ties.