SPINDLE WHORL

A complete lead / lead alloy spindle whorl probably dating to the medieval period (c.AD 1200-1500).

The object is biconical in shape with steeped edges and a central perforation measuring 7.81mm in diameter. Both faces are decorated. One face is decorated with four raised ring-and-dot motifs at 12 o clock, 3 o clock, 6 o clock and 9 o clock. In between each ring-and-dot motif is a straight line from the middle perforation to the outside edge. Decorated between the line and ring-and-dot motifs are 7 pellets.

The other face is decorated with a central inner ring that aligns with the central perforation. Approximately 2mm outside of this is another raised ring decoration which connects to six raised lines from the outer ring to the outer edge of this face of the whorl. Each line is connected to the central outer ring by a raised pellet. This divides the whorl ino six segments, which each contain a raised pellet.

The spindle whorl is 28.39mm in diameter, 11.8mm thick and weighs 34.18g.

Similar objects on the database include: LVPL-5A0379

Spindle whorls, as an artefact type, can be hard to date accurately as they remained in use for a long period of time. The weight of the spindle whorl is suggestive of a thick wool thread being spun, as there is a direct relationship between the weight of the whorl and the thickness of the resulting thread. Fine threads such as silk require a lighter whorl than those used to spun wool or linen.