Bobbin
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Bone and beads
Classification
Textiles-Methods and Materials
Culture
British, Bedfordshire
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. J.B. Johnston, 1910
Accession Number
10.91.10
Art Historical Context
This delicate 19th-century bob, crafted from bone and adorned with colorful beads, hails from Bedfordshire, England—a region renowned for its intricate bobbin lace traditions. As a humble yet essential tool in lacemaking, the bobbin held thread spools, allowing skilled artisans to weave complex patterns by hand. Its sturdy bone handle, often sourced from animal materials, provided durability for hours of precise work, while the beads added both functionality (for weighting and grip) and a touch of decorative charm. In the context of British textile history, this artifact reflects the cottage ...