Russia Tour, Day 6.5: What Is It?

While having lunch yesterday in a wooden cafe, we noticed this historical artifact on the window sill next to our table. We spent some time trying to guess its purpose. The round parts rotate, except for the leftmost one; it is fixed.

(Click image for a larger view.)



Any guesses? My thought is perhaps it is used to spin wool?

Comments

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=888020500]

Spinning wheel bobbin. Had one in my house as a kid :)

http://solidjott.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/2009-09-11_1657.png

[R. Paul Waddington]

Hi Ralph,

It is part of a spinning wheel. It is suspended by its spindle ends and is rotated using a belt driven from a larger wheel turned by treadle. The raw wool is feed through the end, up thorugh the eyelets and is 'spun' onto the bobbin between the pulley and the 'u'.

[Bill Fane]

Adult bedtime toy. You don't want to know how it works.