Vertical spinning wheel
John Doughty (1598-1672)
Category
Furniture
Date
1795 - 1800
Materials
Mahogany, lead and brass.
Measurements
225 x 254 mm; 325 mm (Diameter); 368 mm (Length)
Place of origin
York
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Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1332087
Summary
Vertical ladies spinning wheel thought to have been made by John Doughty with a Scotch tension driving system. However, David Bryant writes: 'It was the son Joseph Doughty who made spinning wheels in York 1780-1801 who took over from his father.From Yorkshire circa 1795 - 1800. Mahogany frame, wheel, spokes and hub with lead wheel rim. Mahogany finish. A high quality vertical ladies wheel with mahogany frame and lead wheel incorporating the John Antis bobbin traverse mechanism. Probably by Doughty of York circa 1796 - 1800. Expensive to buy at the time it was made. Snowshill quotes this wheel erroneously as by John Planta (see below). The argument for this is as follows. John Planta of Fulneck produced high quality wheels in a unique Sheraton style incorporating the John Antis mechanism, but references suggest he only made about twenty of these which are very different to the Snowshill wheel. Doughty did however make wheels stylistically like that at Snowshill incorporating the John Antis mechanism (1794 patent). Antis' thread traverse cam mechanism along the bobbin dispensed with the need for hooks or flyer arms. No maker's label to tie this to Doughty but it might also be M(artha) Marshall his widow or John Hardy to whom Martha sold the stock in 1824 and who carried on the business until 1832. Missing tension screw knob, bobbin, flyer, axle and lantern distaff. Condition is fair with no decay. The footman is a replacement. Treadle connection altered. Water pot edge damaged. Information and digital photograph supplied by David and Valerie Bryant 2006. In notebook no.4, page 91 (1340945.4) Charles Wade refers to: 'Spinning Room No. 28 Leeds Spinning Wheel with an arrangement for distributing the spun yarn evenly on its bobbin by means of a lever to a cam. Wood work is of mahogany. Its wheel has a brass rim. Note Unlike a cart wheel, the spindle of a spinning wheel has its greatest weight at the rim to give impetus.'. Includes sketch with dimensions.
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
Makers and roles
John Doughty (1598-1672)
References
Wade, 1944: Charles Paget Wade, Contents of Snowshill Manor. Volume 4 First and Second Floor, 1944, Page 91