Vintage Recycled Textile Mill Bobbin Egg Timer – Bobbin All Over The World, York

Vintage Recycled Textile Mill Bobbin Egg Timer – Bobbin All Over The World, York – Industrial Kitchenalia

A wonderfully quirky piece of British industrial history, this vintage egg timer has been cleverly fashioned from an original wooden textile mill bobbin, giving an obsolete piece of working machinery an entirely new life.

Made by Bobbin All Over The World of York, England, the timer retains its original paper label explaining that the wooden bobbin had once been used in British textile mills before being recycled into this unusual household object. The label itself is a lovely survivor and perfectly captures an early approach to reuse and recycling long before the term “upcycling” became commonplace.

The substantial turned wooden bobbin retains its original metal-capped ends, with a recessed glass hourglass set into the centre and filled with wonderfully vibrant pink sand. Years of use have left the wood and metal with plenty of genuine patina, giving the piece a particularly appealing industrial character.

The surviving York 0904 telephone code on the label dates this example to before the UK telephone-number changes of 1995, and we believe it most likely dates from approximately the 1970s–1980s, although the original textile bobbin itself may be considerably older.

Please note: the sand timer is not fully functional. The sand does flow but intermittently sticks and requires a gentle tap to encourage it through. It should therefore not be relied upon for accurate timing and is offered primarily as a decorative and collectable piece of vintage British kitchenalia and textile history.

There is also an age-related split to the wooden collar at the base, together with surface marks, wear, oxidation and patination to the metal fittings consistent with its age and former working life. Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

A fabulous little conversation piece with a genuinely lovely story — first part of Britain's textile industry and later recycled to time the humble boiled egg.

Measurements:

Length/height: approx. 16cm

Base diameter: approx. 5cm

Top diameter: approx. 4cm

Maker: Bobbin All Over The World, York, England

Date: Circa 1970s–early 1990s, probably 1970s/80s

Material: Turned wood, metal and glass

Condition: Vintage condition with age and working-life wear. Sand timer sticks and requires tapping; sold primarily as a decorative collectable.

A charming piece for collectors of vintage kitchenalia, British industrial history, textile memorabilia, reclaimed objects and wonderfully unusual curios.