This spindle can be trusted.
In the enchanted tale, Princess Aurora is cursed to die upon pricking her finger on a spindle, but a good fairy softens the spell into a deep sleep of 100 years, broken only by a kiss of true love. The curse comes to pass, but Aurora is eventually awakened by a prince.
Our prince goes by the name Enfia o Barrete - the collective project founded in 2021 by Irina Andrusko and Luz Ornelas, dedicated to researching and preserving Madeiran wool and the traditional ear hat. From tools to materials, everything is studied through ethnographic fieldwork. Prototypes are made, experiments carried out. And then the knowledge is shared through workshops, exhibitions and other initiatives.
In a spinning tradition that had fallen dormant, Irina Andrusko revived the concept through ethnographic research. She found an original wool-spinning spindle made from heather wood, lent by Isabel Ferreira from Ribeiro Frio, São Roque do Faial (Santana), and another original spindle made from venatic wood in Ponta do Pargo, in the municipality of Calheta.
Conceição Câmara, a spinner and weaver from Santana, also showed her an original wool-spinning spindle made from heather wood.
From this fieldwork, Luz Ornelas drew them up and the woodturner Luís Jesus brought the replicas to life. A 47 cm wool-spinning spindle, a 41 cm spindle for wool and linen, and a smaller 30 cm version were born. All made in ash wood with natural wax finish.
The artisans of Enfia o Barrete say that with use, these spindles develop a natural polish. There is no reason to hesitate. Only to spin - so that the tradition never falls asleep.
Frequently asked questions
What is this piece?
41 cm ash wood spindle for spinning wool and linen, a replica of Madeira ethnographic pieces, turned by Luís Jesus for the Enfia o Barrete collective.
Which region is it from?
It comes from Madeira, in Portugal. At Ra-Ro, every piece is tied to its origin and to the territory where it is made.
Who makes this piece?
It is made by Enfia o Barrete, in Funchal, the producer Ra-Ro works with directly for this piece.
What technique is used?
This piece is made using the Marcenaria technique.
Are all pieces identical?
As a handmade piece, it may vary slightly from one example to another. That variation is part of its authenticity.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, Ra-Ro ships worldwide.
How do returns work?
You have 14 days for a free return.
Is payment secure?
Yes, all payments are processed securely and encrypted.
30 cm > Replica of a spindle found in the Ponta do Pargo area
41 cm > Replica of a spindle demonstrated by Conceição Câmara, spinner and weaver from Santana
47 cm > Replica of a spindle lent by Isabel Ferreira, of Ribeiro Frio, São Roque do Faial (Santana)
Gains a natural polish with use.
