Thread winder
Swifts had to open and shut in the same way as an umbrella. The axis spoke or central rod facilitates this movement. The strips are joined with steel rings, and a thumbscrew set on the lower shaft keeps the swift in the desired position. A skein of silk thread or tapestry yarn was wrapped tautly around its extended frame, which would then rotate as the thread was wound around a sewing spool.
Tula is a region in Russia in the Srednerossky hills to the south of Moscow whose capital town of Tula has been famous for the remarkable metalwork it has produced since the construction of the armoury by Peter the Great in 1712. The mastery of the craftsmen and their diamond cutting of the steelworks of art, as well as arms and armour, was unrivalled throughout Europe.
Tula is a region in Russia in the Srednerossky hills to the south of Moscow whose capital town of Tula has been famous for the remarkable metalwork it has produced since the construction of the armoury by Peter the Great in 1712. The mastery of the craftsmen and their diamond cutting of the steelworks of art, as well as arms and armour, was unrivalled throughout Europe.
Artwork Details
- Title: Thread winder
- Date: early 19th century
- Culture: Russian, Tula
- Medium: Cut steel
- Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 6 × 2 7/8 × 2 7/8 in. (15.2 × 7.3 × 7.3 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork-Steel
- Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Gifts, 2011
- Object Number: 2011.414
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
On loan to The Met
House of Carl Fabergé
August Wilhelm Holmström
1896
On loan to The Met
Multiple artists/makers
1890
On loan to The Met
Multiple artists/makers
1893
On loan to The Met
House of Carl Fabergé
Mikhail Evlampievich Perkhin
before 1899
On loan to The Met
Multiple artists/makers
before 1899
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.