Typically, a unique distaff, such as this one, could have perhaps been created as a wedding gift. Because of this, I can honestly say that you are looking at a one of a kind piece of folkart.

A distaff is a tool used in spinning. It is designed to hold the unspun fibers, keeping them untangled and thus easing the spinning process. It is most commonly used to hold flax, and sometimes wool, but can be used for any type of fiber. Fiber is wrapped around the distaff, and tied in place with a piece of ribbon or string. The word comes from dis in Low German, meaning a bunch of flax, connected with staff.