What wood is this?

Rummagers are sometimes given little gifts by people who are throwing stuff away, and that is how I came by this bobbin, which I shall now pass on to another collector I know.

The bobbin is probably from a cotton mill in Lancashire, and I'm guessing it's about a hundred years old. It's very well made, strong and sturdy, with brass fittings. It would have been very stressed in use, so it would have had to be able to take lots of strain.

It's quite a chunky piece of wood, about ten inches high. As for what kind of wood it might be - apparently, birch was the favourite with bobbin makers, but ash, hazel and rowan were also used, and they produced big, heavy bobbins, rather like this one. Here is a fascinating link revealing exactly how bobbins were made.

https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/feeding-the-textile-industry-from-coppice-to-bobbin-english-heritage/eQKCkNc2BHCWKA?hl=en

Nowadays, people often restyle bobbins as candlesticks, but I feel this one is work of art in itself, and I know the person who owns it next will appreciate its utilitarian beauty.

Here's an interesting link about the bobbin industry in the Lake District, and suggestions about how to use any bobbins you find, buy or are given. http://blog.english-heritage.org.uk/10-things-to-do-with-wooden-bobbins/