Mexico
North America 

ABT

Mexican spindles:
Left: Supported hand spindle authentic to the Chiapas spinners in southern Mexico. Used to spin a fairly rough wool from the fleece of churro-merino sheep. Wooden shaft and ceramic whorl. Length: 15.74"; Weight: 50.3 g. 21^st century.
Right: Western Oaxacan spinners use these colorful handmade malacates supported to spin their locally grown brown cotton. While they are spinning the fiber, they rest the lower point of the spindle shaft in a small cup. The spindles are manufactured in the Jamiltepec District, Oaxaca. The spindle shafts are carved from mangrove and the spindle whorls are made from local clay. Both the shaft and the whorl are painted in the colorful local style. Length: 11.4"; Weight: 17 g. 21^st century.