Hackle, circa 1746

Summary

Producing linen yarn by hand from the flax plant is labor-intensive and time-consuming. The useable fibers of the plant are encased in a hard outer coating in the stem. After this coating is removed, the fibers are drawn through a series of hackles--boards with sharp metal spikes--to align the long fibers and remove debris and short fibers.

Producing linen yarn by hand from the flax plant is labor-intensive and time-consuming. The useable fibers of the plant are encased in a hard outer coating in the stem. After this coating is removed, the fibers are drawn through a series of hackles--boards with sharp metal spikes--to align the long fibers and remove debris and short fibers.

Artifact

Hackle

Date Made

circa 1746

Creators

Unknown

Place of Creation

United States 

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

00.4.2427

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Wood (Plant Material)
Iron (Metal)

Color

Brown
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 5 in

Height: 4.25 in  (Spikes)

Width: 7 in

Length: 21 in

Inscriptions

on board at one end: 1746 on board at one end: S / IS S

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