Rare English Wood and Metal Cloth Gauge from 1860. Good Condition. Very original piece.

Curious and attractive device made of wood, brass and glass. It was made in England in 1860. It is a very original and uncommon item, as linen was usually measured with metric tapes or sticks. We know this is a linen measuring roll thanks to the inscription located inside the protecting cases cover, which says For linen roll. Under these words it also says Price 350. The measuring roll is round in shape and quite big, and is composed of a wooden box which houses the brass machinery. A glass cover protects them and at the same time lets us see the measurements. This roll was probably used sliding it on the pieces of linen. Surely there was a component that came out of the gap in the wood and touched the linen, making the gears spin. The gears operated the mechanism and the measurements were pointed under the glass cover. Although this component is missing, the machinery is in perfect condition and probably is also in good working order. The machinery is composed of various gears and reels, and engraved in one of them there is a small arrow that surely indicates the right direction to operate the measuring roll. The rolls body is made of wood, covered by a bright red paint finish. The device comes into its original cylindrical solid wood case, probably oak wood. The case is well preserved, though the exterior finish is somewhat worn due to the trace of time. Nevertheless, this is easy to restore by a good professional. The box is probably the reason why this measuring roll has come to our days in such good condition, preserving all its original charm. It is a very antique and special piece, worth of belonging to the most demanding collector. Measurements: 100 mm diameter.