At Left: Wide view of left side of loom.  Loom has a mid-loom support structure with long cantilevered arms, indicating the loom was originally built to hold a hanging beater.  The roller suspended between the uprights is part of the shedding system, and other parts can be seen as well. This loom was used for many years, by an avid loom collector and weaver.  Her daughters never took up weaving, but acquired the loom from their mother's estate, following her death.  None of the original background information is known, other than the loom is thought to have originated in the Ozark Mountain area of southern Missouri.   Above: Detailed view of rocker.  The rocker originally had quite a pronounced curve -- which would tend to make the beater top-heavy and off balance.  It appears an attempt was made to improve the situation by straightening out the curve a bit (note the wooden wedges secured in place at front and back of rocker).  A single wooden rocker strap holds the rocker in place on the base of the loom.

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