Spinning Tool Appraisal

Antique McIntosh Style Flax Spinning Wheel

This is a classic horizontal-bench style spinning wheel, often attributed to the McIntosh style of craftsmanship, likely dating from the 19th century. The piece is constructed primarily from a dark-toned hardwood, possibly walnut or stained maple, featuring a large drive wheel with fourteen intricately turned spokes. The drive wheel is mounted on two slanted uprights anchored to a solid, rectangular bench. To the left, the mother-of-all holds the flyer assembly and bobbin, which currently retains a small amount of light-colored fiber. The legs are elegantly turned in a ring-and-vase pattern, a hallmark of mid-to-late 19th-century utilitarian folk furniture. The wood displays a rich, darkened patina with varied tonal wear consistent with age and manual operation. Notable features include the decorative finials on the distaff and mother-of-all, suggesting high-quality artisanal production rather than basic home manufacture. Condition-wise, the wheel shows visible surface abrasions, minor nicks on the rim of the drive wheel, and some fading of the finish on higher-contact areas like the treadle and legs. No obvious structural repairs are visible, but the drive band appears to be a modern replacement for functionality. The construction utilizes pegged joinery, indicating traditional woodworking techniques. Its sturdy tripod base provides stability, while the overall silhouette exemplifies the functional elegance of pre-industrial textile machinery.