Roving was wound on the distaff and then spun into fine yarn, the decorative elements preventing the slippage of the roving. The hoop was placed on the little finger.
Literature: Marieluise Cremer , Antike Spinnrocken. In: Boreas. Münstersche Beiträge zur Archäologie 19, 1996, 235-241. Marielouise Cremer, Fingerkunkel und Zettelstecker. In: Boreas. Münstersche Beiträge zur Archäologie 21, 1998, 327-333.
The exact origin of these distaffs is unknown, but they are probably from the Balkans. The blade of the left one was once painted as traces of red and yellow color show (see detail). The right distaff had a small mirror inserted into the center of its blade. 19th -20th Century. Lengths: 39.76" and 34.25".