Vintage Things - An Old Spinning Wheel

Yesterday I wrote about my recent visit with friends to the Jubilee Gallery.  I saved "the rest of the story" for today so that I could link it with Vintage Thingies Thursday at Colorado Lady.  You will want to visit her site and see all the great vintage things she has posted.

Part of Tennessee's history preservation includes historical markers located throughout the state.  Below is a photo of TN Historical Marker 1B19.  What this marker does not say is that Hezekiah Hamblen was also a furniture maker.  Five pieces that he hand made still exist and one of my friends with whom I had lunch is his descendant.  She is in possession of one of those pieces.

I do not know if a spinning wheel is considered furniture, but a spinning wheel was a necessity used throughout the southern Appalachian mountains during the 19th century to spin wool and cotton.  This particular spinner is in beautiful shape with all original parts intact and sets proudly in my friends mountain top home.

The Old Spinning Wheel by Billy Hill

Covered with dust and forgotten,

Like the face upon the wall;

The one souvenir of the days gone by,

I treasure most of all.

There's an old spinning wheel in the parlor,

Spinning dreams of the long, long ago.

Spinning dreams of an old fashioned garden,

And a maid with her old fashioned beau.

Turn back the years of my childhood

As you turn, old spinning wheel.

Just show me a lane with a barefoot boy,

As shadows softly steal.

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I have no history of this picture that adorns my friends bedroom wall.  It came from her aunts home but it is old and BEAUTIFUL and still in its original hand-hewn frame. 

Italian maybe?

Follow-up regarding this picture:  Viridian's Blog put this picture in context for me.  It is a copy of  "Madonna della seggiola" by Italian renaissance artist Raphael.

This mother is gorgeous!

I hope you enjoyed these vintages pieces. 

Thanks for reading, Rosie.