Summary

Treadle from the countermarch floor loom. A treadle is similar to foot pedal and is connected by a linkage called a tie-up to one or more shafts. More than one treadle can operate a single shaft. The tie-up consists of cords or similar mechanical linkages tying the treadles to the lams that actually lift or lower the shaft.

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

Rectangular, dark wooden beam that tapers at one end. The thicker end has a large hole drilled through the side that contains a metal eyelet. Towards the thinner end there are 19 smaller holes drilled through the top, some of which are threaded and knotted with a white treadle cord.

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