1917

«Zappla», Clamp for Sheep Shearing

Langwies, 19th century

Sheep were sheared in the autumn after their return from the Alp and in spring before their pasture grazing. Men as well as women helped with shearing. In order to keep the sheep still, they laid it on a table and fastened its legs with a shearing clamp, called «Zappla» in the Schanfigg. The wooden peg that was pushed through made sure that the animal could not free itself. This specimen features a burnt-in house mark and initials.

The wool was sheared close to the skin with the sheep shears. After that the animal was released back into the herd. Then the wool was sorted out according to its quality, washed and spread out to dry.