Flax wheel
This is what I believe is a parlor wheel in the French style. It's trimmed in ivory. One finial has been replaced with turned wood painted ivory to match. Another larger piece of ivory is broken but still present. The flyer has been broken and glued and the wheel is far too old and fragile to actually use. The distaff is still present. Bits of flax can be seen stuck in the ivory.
This family heirloom came over from Alsace Lorraine with my great grandparents in 1909. It originally belonged to my great great grandmother. My great grandfather told my grandmother that he remembered his mother and sisters using it when he was a boy.
Inherited
Maybe
Thank you for submitting your item for appraisal. This appears to be spinning wheel form the Alsace region, just as you suggested. The production date will be second half 19th century. The basic construction was hardly changed during the 19th century. The ivory or bone accents are quite nice. Ivory would show so called Schreger lines, something like an intereference pattern. Cow bone shows short black lines. There wouldn´t be a difference in value either way. Ivory might require a CITES document, just in case you are planning to sell it. Each State has slightly differing regulations in place. Modern smoothly working spinning wheels sell for up to 800 USD. The antique spinning wheels which can only be used for display sell often well below 100 USD. The one in your possesion might sell in the price range listed at auction. There is no measurement for the sentimental value you might attach to it.
yes, it was used to spin wool or linen. You can google historic photos or postcards. I don´t see a real increase in value in the near future. Unless of course Hollywoods comes up with spinning wheel movie. Happy New Year!
Thank you very much. I suspected it probably wasn't worth a great deal. Maybe I'll see if someone else in the family would like to dust it for the next 50 years! Was I correct about it being a parlor wheel?