Featured Paper mache figure to hold thread

Has anyone seen anything like this? I think it may be paper mache and it has a glossy surface coating. (The colors are brighter and the surface is shinier than they appear in the images.)

Is there a name for this type of thread holder?

I don't remember seeing anything similar in stores and am wondering if it might have been homemade? Or an import from Eastern Europe or Russia?

On the off-chance it was in my family for a long time, my grandmother's family emigrated from Russia in the 1880s, but I wouldn't think this is that old?

Thanks!

 

I get an Old World vibe, yeah...

What do we know about thread... THAT thread...?

Thread experts?

Any such thing as THREADIES??

 

I didn't look closely at the thread, but I don't think it's silk. Here's a closeup of the thread that's a bit out of focus...

 

Well... that's old-looking... scraggly... am I right?

Buttttt...
I haven't touched a needle or thread since Middle School Home-Ec...

 

The close up makes me think very thin "yarn," like embroidery floss?

 

Or, darning thread?

 

It does look like floss, doesn't it? Maybe wool or linen?

 

Could be darning thread. I'll have to look under a loupe and get a better sense of the texture.

 

Try searching using key words thread winder.
Do you think it could be wood, rather than papier mache?
I'm not sure what to call that glossy paint. Lacquer paint...?

 

It does look like perhaps darning thread. I have a thought that it might be Eastern European. I have family members from the Ukraine. Her items are similar----any history that you can add to its history?

 

It might have been a project that a child did for her family--- just a guess. They have more time to do simple items like this and crafts were encourages to occupy time.

 

Laura, thanks so much for the term "thread winder." After googling it, it's clear that is the appropriate name for this type of item.

Welcome to Antiquers, Annie, and thanks for your comments. It was among my mother's things, which means it's probably no more recent than the 1980s, but could be a lot older. Some of the things my mother had were my grandmother's and she's the one who was born in Russia and came to the U.S. in the 1880s.

Beyond that, I don't know anything about the origin.

 

I haven't been here very long, but finally get to see a REAL THREAD thread.

Yeah, looks wool-y-ish to me.

Thanks.

 

Heehee.

 

Real thread!!!!!

And since it's wound around something, you COULD say it's a REEL THREAD!!!!!!

 

You might do a burn test to see what the composition of the thread is, but it looks wool to me. I agree on Russian, perhaps Ukraine.

 

I'm no expert, but given your family history, I suspect this piece is a charming part of it, and much older than the 1980s. Perhaps it was something your grandmother made as a child. It looks like East European lacquerware to me.

 

Thanks, Bear and Brenda.

I looked under a loupe, and still can't tell much more. The paint is mat in some areas and glossy in others. It's flat and not quite 1/8" thick, fairly uniform in thickness, and very lightweight. Where the paint is chipped, I may be seeing subtle woodgraining, but I'm not sure.

The thread feels smoother than I think wool would feel, but not as smooth as silk. It has a slight shine to it and is twisted.

 

WHATTTTT!!!!!!!!
Sorry, Hon, the engagement's OFF again.

 

Well! Fine!

Nevermind about the bridesmaid dresses, Pat, and ladies...