Models of spinning wheels that are in excellent condition and are between 50 to 100 years old are sold at prices ranging from 1500 to 2500 soms. They sell very quickly, as people are eager to purchase them. However, the main purpose of buying these devices is not to use them for spinning yarn.
Nowadays, many artisans use spinning wheels to create vintage interior items, which are in high demand and fetch a good price among decor enthusiasts.
According to local historian Maxim Podgorny, a spinning wheel is a wooden device with a wheel, first invented in India, from where it spread throughout the world. In Russia, spinning wheels became popular in the 18th century.
“When spinning wheels arrived in Kyrgyzstan from Russia, they replaced traditional hand spindles. These mechanisms allowed for simultaneous winding and twisting of the thread, which significantly simplified the work of Kyrgyz craftswomen, increased productivity, and improved the quality of yarn. In the early 20th century, the spinning wheel was a symbol of women's labor in our country; it was valued, not lent to neighbors, and an old one could be gifted to a bride at her wedding. The production of spinning wheels in Kyrgyzstan continued until the 1980s. Currently, designers are finding unusual and creative ways to integrate spinning wheels into interior design, transforming them into works of art, such as flower stands or coffee tables,” explained the local historian.
