Collection Highlights
Invitation to Erie Canal Celebration
Date:
1825
Object Number:
PR.221.12
Medium:
Engraving
SUPPORT THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Help us present groundbreaking exhibitions and develop educational programs about our nation's history for more than 200,000 schoolchildren annually.
Museum Collections
Luce Center
Clock reel (which counted exact number of strands in a knot).
Object Number:
986
Date:
1750-1800
Medium:
Wood
Dimensions:
Overall (approx.): 28 1/2 x 23 x 27 in. (72.4 x 58.4 x 68.6 cm)
Description:
Wooden clock reel with four arms joined to a turned horizontal shaft supported between two posts, with wooden disk with sawtooth edge mounted below threaded section at center of shaft; entire apparatus mounted on top of rectangular plank raised on three rounded legs.
Gallery Label:
A clock reel had either four or six arms around which a length of yarn was wound in order to measure it. If the distance around the arms measured 2 yards, then forty turns of the device would yield a "knot" (a length of 80 yards). A skein (560 yards) was the equivalent of 7 knots.
Credit Line:
Gift of Samuel V. Hoffman
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
