Hand-turned antique wooden lacemaking bobbins sold in lots of five

These gorgeous delicate little bobbins were hand-turned from a variety of woods. They were used to make bobbin lace - the top part of the bobbin held the thread as can be seen in the pictures here - the bottom was the handle. Bobbin lace was worked over a design often held in place on a cushion. If you can, go look it up on the internet and see if you can find a video of it being made - it requires an extraordinary amount of skill. French bobbin-lace makers were often peasant piece-workers, and it provided a way of earning a very meagre salary. Many of them would start learning around the age of five or six, and it would take them years until they were accurate and fast enough to earn from their skills.

These are being sold in lots of five. Some of them still have thread on them, but it appears to be mostly cotton and was probably just being saved from other work rather than being used to work lace - lace thread was traditionally linen.

Please click on the photos to open them up full-sized.

To purchase, please contact me.