Reeling Silk

(click for gigundo)

This photograph was taken in Turkestan in 1862.  The men are reeling silk.  The older man on the right is boiling the silk cocoons and feeding the silk strands up over the wooden frame leaning over the pot.  The younger man is guiding the strands (if you biggify and look closely, you can just make out the thread running through his had) onto the charkha for winding.

Alfred, is that you?

Comments

[the farmer's wife]

What an awesome photograph. As a once-upon-a-time anthropology student I can tell you the importance of recording everyday scenes such as this.

[Michael]

Cool picture! I followed a link to see the Latvian mittens, but I can never resist silk reeling!

[Elise]

thanks for the interesting photo!

[angelarae]

Wow! Fascinating picture. I have so much to learn about the fiber arts!
Ang

[Diane H K]

There's nothing quite as fun as sitting in the cold mud boiling silkworm cocoons. Look at the mud on the shoes to the right. Yeesh. Probably why these two fellows look so damned cheery.

Interesting that the photographer had a portable backdrop...

[Sandra D]

That's a good photo, but I'm sure glad you told me what was happening. I'd have been hard pressed to figure it out!

[cyndy]

this seems like a job that is best done with 2 people!

[Sharon]

Judging from their garments, it must be very cold outside. Fibering is only fun if you get to *chose* to do it, not when it becomes work.