Collection Highlights
WILD STYLE: TRACY 168
1992
2003.38.6
Black marker and felt tip pen on heavy paper with glue residue from a bound border at left
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Clock reel (2)
Object name
Clock reel (2)
Date
1750-1800
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
Overall (approx.): 35 x 27 x 15 1/2 in. (88.9 x 68.6 x 39.4 cm)
Description
Wooden clock reel with four arms joined to a squared shaft supported between two uprights mounted at either side of one end of a rectangular plank raised on four short, splayed legs; turning mechanism mounted between uprights consisting of two wooden gears with sawtooth edges, the uppermost and smaller of the two fitting into four rectangular slots carved into sides of shaft.
Credit Line
Gift of George W. Nash
Object Number
N-176
Gallery Label
A clock reel had either four or six arms around which a length of yarn was wound in order to measure it. If the distance around the arms measured 2 yards, then forty turns of the device would yield a "knot" (a length of 80 yards). A skein (560 yards) was the equivalent of 7 knots.
Provenance
The George W. Nash Collection of Ulster County, New York Household Artifacts
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
