Summary

Metal reed from the countermarch floor loom. The reed clamps to the loom beater and ensures warp threads are correctly spaced. It also packs the weft threads into place and it's width is an indication of the weaving width. The Countermarch Floor Loom was made for Anna Apinis by fellow survivors of World War II, in Memmingen, a displaced persons camp in Germany with wood scavenged from bombed-out ruins. It was designed by Anna's husband Ervins. Anna used the loom to weave traditional Latvian designs using threads gathered by unraveling old scraps of fabric. Anna brought the loom with her to Australia and continued to weave Latvian designs on it.

Physical Description

Long, thin metal frame. Wide and rectangular in shape, it contains many thin vertical metal strips or teeth. The top and bottom rails of the reed are covered with taping that has yellowed. The reed is wrapped in a long, thin cloth pocket with a green, maroon and grey geometric pattern.

More Information