Search 0
23,739  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 72 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
JOIN AS A SELLER DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
GIFTS
72 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Antiques dealer?
Join as a Seller
Sort Order
Items Per Page
sellingantiques.co.uk
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1038756
FOR SALE
£225
Email Phone
Save
19th Century Carved Distaff
For sale by Abersoch Antiques
for sale €263     $286
£225
Abersoch Antiques

Abersoch Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2010
Browse dealers 181 items
  • About Us
    Welsh country furniture, treen ,longcase clocks, gold & silver
↓ Relevant Links
Id #SA1038756
PDF SHARE
SAVE

19th Century Carved Distaff

19th century
Description

A beautifully carved early 19th century carved distaff- originally used for spinning wool, they became a form of folk art heirlooms in many eastern european and russian steppe cultures similar in tradition to the celtic love spoon tradition.

Chip carved geometric patterns and floral motif adorn the hardwood staff, intricately carved rectangular pattern,shaped edging creating a decorative piece of art. General usage wear and lovely golden patination as per photo, old traces of worm now stable and treated.point of interest is similarly to the medieval tradition of carving a geometric star to the rear of early furniture to ward off evil spirits, this has one carved to the rear. From a private collection

Dimensions:

157cm long

7cm wide

1cm deep

Date of Manufacture

Abersoch Antiques has dated this Carved Wooden Folk Distaff to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
157cm (61.81")
Width
7cm (2.76")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1038756
Dealers Internal Reference
FINE GEO PATTERN J
Dealers Notes

Delivery arranged to all parts worldwide.

Clocks can be delivered including set up upon request.

Goods bought & sold, part exchange considered.

Description
A beautifully carved early 19th century carved distaff- originally used for spinning wool, they became a form of folk art heirlooms in many eastern european and russian steppe cultures similar in tradition to the celtic love spoon tradition.
“
Chip carved geometric patterns and floral motif adorn the hardwood staff, intricately carved rectangular pattern,shaped edging creating a decorative piece of art.
Abersoch Antiques

General usage wear and lovely golden patination as per photo, old traces of worm now stable and treated.point of interest is similarly to the medieval tradition of carving a geometric star to the rear of early furniture to ward off evil spirits, this has one carved to the rear. From a private collection

Dimensions:

157cm long

7cm wide

1cm deep

Date of Manufacture

Abersoch Antiques has dated this Carved Wooden Folk Distaff to the 19th Century.

Height
157cm (61.81")
Width
7cm (2.76")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1038756
Dealers Internal Ref
FINE GEO PATTERN J
Abersoch Antiques
Abersoch Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2010

Welsh country furniture, treen ,longcase clocks, gold & silver

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Abersoch Antiques Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section.
1 / 13
Archive I A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section.

19th Century Carved Distaff

Archive II A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section. View II
Archive III A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section.
Archive V A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section. View V
Archive VI A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section. View VI
Archive VII A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section. View VII
Archive VIII A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section. View VIII
Archive IX A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section. View IX
Archive X A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section. View X
Archive XI A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section. View XI
Archive XII A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section. View XII
Archive XIII A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Abersoch Antiques

Abersoch Antiques
Telephone 07769 710 491 or 01758 613173
Location
10 Penlan Street
Pwllheli
North Wales
LL53 5DH
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/jadams
Verified Since Dec 2010
Items For Sale 181
Items Sold 43
Abersoch Antiques
Abersoch Antiques
Verified Since Dec 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: 10 Penlan Street, Pwllheli, North Wales, LL53 5DH, United Kingdom,
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/jadams
Verified
Dec 2010
For Sale
181
Sold
43
A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section.
19TH CENTURY CARVED DISTAFF
Ref: SA1038756
A long, hand-carved wooden distaff featuring geometric star rosettes and notched borders along its flattened upper section.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Detail View 11
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectFolk Art
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFolk Art
  • MaterialCarved Wood, Hardwood
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsChip carving, Geometric rosettes, Notched edges
  • SizeH 157 cm (62 in) x W 7 cm (3 in) x D 1 cm (0 in)

This early 19th-century folk art distaff originates from Eastern European and Russian steppe cultures, where such implements transitioned from wool-spinning tools into decorative heirlooms akin to Celtic love spoons. Hand-carved from hardwood, the piece displays a warm brown timber colour with a golden patina alongside general usage wear, alongside old traces of stable woodworm. The flattened upper section exhibits intricate chip-carved geometric star rosettes, floral motifs, shaped and notched edges, and an indented rectangular pattern down the centre. At the rear, a geometric star is carved to ward off evil spirits. The lower portion tapers into a long, smooth, rounded handle ending in a narrow tip. Measuring 157 cm long, 7 cm wide and 1 cm deep, the distaff hangs vertically as a sculptural wall art display. It suits narrow wall spaces within a rustic farmhouse interior, complementing traditional architectural elements or ethnic collections. Collectors can mount the item securely on plasterboard or timber panels to highlight its detailed folk carving and historical craftsmanship.

FAQs

A distaff is a traditional tool used in hand spinning to hold unspun fibres such as flax or wool, keeping them untangled during the spinning process. Historically, elaborately carved distaffs were often crafted as courtship gifts or decorative household objects.

Traditional distaffs were primarily hand-carved from hardwoods or fruitwoods such as birch, pine, beech, or oak. The decorative elements were executed using simple hand tools to create chip carving, notch cutting, and geometric relief patterns.

Authentic 19th-century distaffs display signs of genuine hand carving, including subtle irregularities in geometric patterns and natural wear along the handle from repeated use. The patina should reflect age, with smooth, darkened areas where the tool was frequently handled.

A carved distaff functions well as sculptural wall art, mounted horizontally or vertically within a shadow box frame or directly on a wall. It can also be displayed alongside other historic textile tools or folk art objects on a deep shelf or mantelpiece.

Keep the item in a stable environment away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent cracking or warping. Dust gently with a soft microfibre cloth and apply a light coat of natural beeswax polish periodically to maintain the timber.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories