Red lacquered wooden shuttle which was once used on a small loom for weaving ribbons. The ribbons were used as adornment on lotus shoes, purses etc. Weaving of silk, cotton or wool has been known in China for about 5000 years. It is a method during which two distinct sets of threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric. The fabric is usually woven on a loom, a device that holds the vertical threads in place while filling threads are horizontally woven through them with the help of a shuttle. The lacquer on the edges of this shuttle has slightly suffered from extensive use. It dates from the end of the Qing period (1644 – 1912). Length 17.6 cm. Width 5.6 cm. Depth 1.4 cm.