This is an antique spindle that is used in my part of Italy (northern Italy, Emilia Romagna) and it is a drop spindle. I collect antique ones and I use them as a base for my replicas, the fun in collecting them is that not one is like the other, they all are a bit different in size and weight.

It was a treasure for every girl and woman, especially in a farmers economy, where it was essential in transforming wool into garments, in a society that was quite poor and where a wheel was a luxury.

In Italian, to spin wool is said "filare" (to make thread, more or less). During the courtship, it was tradition for the young man to gift the fiancee with a spindle. In fact, when a young girl had a suitor, it was used to say that "she had a filarino" (which you could loosely translate as having a little spinning?😅).

It is a saying that is heard just from old people nowadays, because young generations have lost the tradition of spinning and spindle gifting.

But I find it so romantic ❤️

I made a video to show you how to spin and wind yarn on this spindle: LINK TO THE SPINNING VIDEO

Estimate age around a century. Pristine conditions.

Size: 9.5 inches (24cm)
Weight: 35 grams
Finish: Shellac