Hobbies And Interests
American Windsor Spindles
Wooden spindles were used in the earliest American Windsor style chairs. They were tapered at both ends. They were used on many different shapes of American Windsor chairs including bow-back, hoop-back, fan-back, archback, loop-back and rod-back.
Bamboo-Turned Spindles
Bamboo-turned spindles were shaped so that they had a bamboo appearance. They were found mostly on American Windsor chairs and settees that had a double crest rail. They first came about in the early 1800s.
Staircase Spindles
As wood carving became more mechanized, staircase spindles began to take on more decoration in true Victorian style. These spindles would be carved in floral patterns, have decorative beading and new detail from a variety of different woods, though pine was the most common. Beaded spindles were most common in the Eastlake style of architecture.
Doorknob Spindles
During the 1800s in England, spindles were used on brass doorknobs. The spindles were made of steel and the knobs were taper-fitted to the spindles. Each of the spindles was hand filed. In the mid-1800s, the spindles began to be drilled at intervals and were manufactured in square sections.
Porch Spindles
Porch spindles were a popular motif throughout the 1800s and are present in many different architectural styles. One example is the Queen Anne style, which included spindle posts on porches and balconies. Queen Anne spindles tended to be intricately carved. Victorian-style homes also had intricately carved spindles on their porches.