{"product_id":"a-19th-century-converted-english-antique-treen-mill-bobbin-sandglass","title":"A Large Rare Late 18thC \/ Early 19thC Converted English Antique Treen Mill Bobbin Three-Chamber Sandglass","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eA characterful vernacular sandglass of unusual construction, formed from a repurposed turned-wood mill bobbin of probable 18th or early 19th-century date, later married to a three-chambered blown-glass sand vial to serve as a timer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA traditional sandglass has two chambers: sand flows from the upper to the lower\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, marking a single time interval. In contrast, a \u003cb\u003ethree-chamber sandglass\u003c\/b\u003e incorporates an additional middle chamber, allowing for \u003cb\u003emore\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ecomplex time measurement\u003c\/b\u003e. This design can serve multiple purposes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSequential timing:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eEach chamber can be calibrated to represent a different interval. Once sand has passed through the first chamber, the timer automatically continues to the next, making it useful for processes that require staged timing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eVersatility:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDepending on the design, the user may orient the sandglass differently to select which chambers are active and thus measure different durations without needing multiple separate timers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eEducational or decorative purposes:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome three-chamber sandglasses are used for visual or didactic purposes to illustrate fractioned time intervals, or as a unique decorative piece demonstrating multiple sand flows simultaneously.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eThe piece comprises two heavy circular flanges of turned hardwood, each retaining its original blackened iron binding band — a function-specific feature of working mill bobbins, applied to resist the centrifugal splitting forces the flange endured in service. The central hubs preserve their concentric turned collars and peg holes, the seatings by which each flange was once fixed to the bobbin's central shaft. In the conversion, these original recesses have been ingeniously adapted to cradle the glass, the two flanges bridged by three turned spindle columns set at equal intervals in place of the vanished barrel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eThe single sealed blown-glass vial with three chambers, with pinched waists and retaining its sand, is consistent with 19th-century manufacture and likely contemporary with the conversion. The whole displays honest wear, a deep mellow patina to the timber, and traces of old red colouring — a genuine and engaging survival of agricultural and industrial folk repurposing, with strong decorative appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eRetaining all the character of its first working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/strong\u003eEngland. Mill bobbin is late 18thC - early 19thC. Sandglass is 19thC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial: \u003c\/strong\u003eTreen, sand and glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eHonest, with wear, patina, age-cracking and oxidised iron bands commensurate with age and dual working life. Glass intact, sand is free-running.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 20 cm high (8 inches)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Holt Antiques at Walsingham Mill ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54226674647382,"sku":"HAF7378","price":295.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/7462\/5878\/files\/Screenshot-20260617_085223_Photoroom.jpg?v=1781699448","url":"https:\/\/holtantiquefurniture.com\/products\/a-19th-century-converted-english-antique-treen-mill-bobbin-sandglass","provider":"Holt Antiques at Walsingham Mill ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}