Weaving temple (cloth stretcher)
A weaving temple holds the woven cloth stretched to an even width during weaving. Norwegian names include vevspjelk, vevspenne and, in collection descriptions, vevtempel. It should be distinguished from the shuttle that carries the weft through the warp.
Temples may have adjustable length and teeth at the ends that grip the cloth edges. Examples occur in wood and iron. Yrjar Heimbygdslag documents YHL 3559 as used by Hannah Ryggen, with adjustable length. That provenance belongs to the museum object and cannot be extended to other tools of similar shape.
When cataloguing, describe construction, adjustment, teeth, locking mechanism and decoration. Measure the tool in its current configuration and state whether its length is adjustable. Note missing or replaced parts. Transcribe dates and initials accurately and assess them against the rest of the object. Carved decoration can be a feature of folk art but alone establishes neither region, maker nor use as a betrothal gift.
