Devices and aids for the production and processing of textile fibers

Period

20th century

Number of Cases

1800

This collection houses items that illustrate the complex process of processing textile raw materials into thread and yarn.

There are also items used for making textile fabrics by weaving, knitting and crocheting. They are mostly made at home, mostly from wood.

The processing of raw materials into fibers—through cultivation, harvesting, shearing, washing, drying, and combing—is represented in the collection by items such as scissors, baskets, flax breakers, wool carders, and combs.
Spinning, re-spinning, winding, and dyeing of fibers are illustrated through distaffs, while weaving is showcased through various types of looms and weaving tools.

The collection stands out for its rich collection of distaffs, numbering over 1,000 items. Distaffs played an important role in the lives of rural women. They were given to them at birth, in wedding customs, and they were often buried with them. They are characterized by a rich typological diversity, and attention is also drawn to ornamentation, as well as visual representations containing patriotic, national and romantic messages.

The collection consists of about 1,800 items.

The curator in charge of the collection is Marina Cvetković, museum advisor: marina.cvetkovic@etnografskimuzej.rs

Horizontal loom

Inv. No. 29451

Vertical loom

Inv. No. 22046

Spinning wheel – Kolovrat

Inv. No. 20804

Distaff

Inv. No. 12562

Distaff

Inv. No. 39304

Distaff

Inv. No. 17555

Distaff

Inv. No. 13781

Distaff

Inv. No. 22892

Distaff

Inv. No. 22908

Distaff

Inv. No. 16072

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Horizontal loom

Inv. No. 29451

The loom is a complex device used for weaving – the process of making fabrics by interlacing two sets of threads. The exhibited loom is made of beech wood, locally crafted, of the horizontal type, with threads made of silk.

Prizren, Kosovo and Metohija
Mid-20th century

Vertical loom

Inv. No. 22046

Made of beech wood. It was used for weaving Pirot rugs.

Pirot, Southern Serbia
First half of the 20th century

Spinning wheel – Kolovrat

Inv. No. 20804

Spinning wheel (tool for spinning fibers) with a foot pedal. Handcrafted from linden, beech, and ash wood. The parts are painted in red and green.

Slavonia, Eastern Croatia
First half of the 20th century

Distaff

Inv. No. 12562

Distaff is a tool for spinning fibers. The displayed spinning wheel is made of oak wood, with a paddle-shaped design. In shallow relief, there is an image of a love-struck couple, above which is the inscription "Ivan Pajić 1927."

Stepojevac, Lazarevac, Central Serbia
1927

Distaff

Inv. No. 39304

Distaff is a tool for spinning fibers. The displayed spinning wheel is made of beech wood, with a paddle-shaped design. On the paddle, there is a carved image of Miloš Obilić (a Serbian medieval knight, 1350–1389), above which is the inscription "Miloš." At the bottom, the initials of the spinning wheel's creator "NS" are present.

Guča, Moravica District, Central Serbia
Mid 20th Century

Distaff

Inv. No. 17555

Distaff is a tool for spinning fibers. The displayed spinning wheel is made of beech wood, with a paddle-shaped design. The relief features patterns in the form of two leaves and animals — a rooster, cat, fox, and goat. Above them is a soldier with a cannon, and at the top, an open book.

Orešac, Knjaževac, Eastern Serbia
First Half of the 20th Century

Distaff

Inv. No. 13781

Distaff is a tool for spinning fibers. The displayed spinning wheel is made of beech wood. In the upper part, there is a square with a diamond shape, which touches two circles with a rosette.

Osečina, Kolubara District, Southeastern Serbia
1904

Distaff

Inv. No. 22892

Distaff is a tool for spinning fibers. It is made of lime wood, with a spear-shaped paddle type. It is crafted from a single piece of wood.

Bare, Kolašin, Northern Montenegro
First half of the 20th century

Distaff

Inv. No. 22908

Distaff is a tool for spinning fibers. It is made of maple wood, with a paddle-type design. It is crafted from a single piece of wood. On the face of the spinning wheel, the name "Ruža Sarić" is carved in Latin script, likely indicating the owner’s name. It is used for spinning wool.

Dalmatia, Croatia
20th century

Distaff

Inv. No. 16072

Distaff is a tool for spinning fibers. It is made of willow wood, with a paddle-shaped design.

Vajlska, Bačka, Serbia
20th century, first half