Wooden Bobbins and Cigar Box of Paper Hand Rolled Spills

A wooden box with the lid partially off. Inside there are rolled up cigar papers. Outside there are three bobbins, one with pink thread, one with blue, and one with none.
Bobbins and Cigar Papers from the Eldon House collection

Country of Origin: Sweden
Year: 1900-1914
Materials: Wood, thread, and paper 

These two types of bobbins illustrate the armature used to hold thread or floss which would be made into lace.  The wooden bobbins are “teardrop” shaped and are weighted for consistent thread tension.  The paper “spills” (or rolls) are made from heavy-weight newsprint and feature Swedish script from their place of origin.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.