Model of a Spinning Wheel for Spun Yarn 1853 - 1854

This is a wooden model of a spinning wheel, crafted by Rijkswerf Vlissingen. This seemingly simple design is a potent symbol of human ingenuity and the eternal quest to transform raw materials into something useful. Observe the hooks; they are reminiscent of those used by the Fates of classical antiquity, who spun, measured, and cut the thread of life. Here, the transformation of fiber into yarn, driven by the wheel’s rotation, echoes the cyclical nature of time itself. The wheel, a universal symbol found across cultures, carries the weight of continuous movement and renewal, linking it to both mundane tasks and profound philosophical concepts. In a world driven by change, the spinning wheel reminds us of the enduring human capacity to adapt, create, and find order in the chaos of existence.