When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
During the past 30 years, I have brought these decorative, carved spinning wheel distaffs (rukinlapa) over from Finland. One of them, though, I found here in Oregon in an estate sale of a Finnish person, the one that has 1733 carved in it. These are all made of wood and each has a different type of carving and style.
Traditionally, starting in the 1700\'s, these were made and give by young men as engagements gifts to their future wives. That was the time when spinning wheels became a widely used item in homes. Later on they became decorative items and expressions of art. They can have carvings, patterns, stain, windows/holes and even paint. The tallest distaff here is 19.5 inches tall and the shortest is a bit short of 13 inches. The rest are in between. They have some general wear. One seems to have a part cracked and glued back together.
The distaff with 1733 has a damaged section on top and more wear than the others, but if it was made in 1733, it is understandable. On the back it has a sticker saying \"Vasa Finland 1982\" which I think means that it was bought in Vaasa in 1982. Let me know if you have any questions.
